Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Olympia City Council approved two resolutions to continue operations at Quince Street Village.
The resolutions authorize a lease agreement and a $1.7 million funding contract with Catholic Community Services (CCS), which operates the 100-unit tiny home village in downtown Olympia.
The contract and $1 annual lease agreement were approved as part of the council’s consent calendar at a meeting on June 23.
According to a staff report, the funding agreement totals $1,700,055 for fiscal year 2026-27. Of that amount, $773,711 will come from a Thurston County Regional Housing Council grant, while the remaining $926,344 will be paid through Olympia’s Home Fund.
Established in 2021, the Quince Street Tiny Home Village replaced a former downtown mitigation site, which had operated since 2018.
Residents of the mitigation site were relocated to the tiny home village, which offers improvements over the former encampment,. The improvements include heat, electrical lighting, USB charging ports, access to laundry facilities, shower trailers and case management services.
Described by the city as the largest tiny home community in Thurston County, the village has become a part of the county’s homeless response system. It accepts residents through Coordinated Entry and referrals from city programs, including Community Court and Olympia’s Homeless Response team.
City staff said continued support for the village provides opportunities for people experiencing homelessness to stabilize physically and psychologically, as well as pursue pathways out of homelessness.
The shelter also reduces calls for emergency responders by providing a place for people to stay.
The staff reports also describe ongoing challenges at the site.
Two shower trailers donated by LOTT Clean Water Alliance about five years ago have experienced recurring plumbing failures and are being assessed for upgrades.
In addition, several tiny homes have suffered significant water damage, which city staffers said may be related to construction flaws, and some units remain vulnerable to flooding because of the site’s proximity to Indian Creek.
To address those issues, residents have been relocated to improved units for their health and safety. Staffers conduct regular inspections and have received additional training to identify maintenance problems before they worsen.
Olympia Public Works Department personnel have also assisted at the village during flooding events.
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wildnature
This seems a very positive step for restoring people's lives so they can integrate back into our community. Thank you.
Friday, July 3 Report this
Mugwump
While this initiative is a clear improvement over people sleeping on the streets or in greenbelt tents, the fiscal year cost breaks down to roughly $1,400 per month per unit. For that same amount, a direct monthly housing subsidy—coupled with intensive case management to connect individuals with services and treatment—could offer a far more permanent and cost-effective solution.
Friday, July 3 Report this
Boatyarddog
Mugwump. In Olympia Rent for a studio, maybe a small 1 br, costs more than that. Now a days, you need a roommate to afford Housing. That requires a lease usually. Then Food, and many other costs Phone, internet access, garbage, utilities, ect.
Friday, July 3 Report this
longtimeresident
I agree with wildnature. It's something positive around the whole issue of homelessness.
Friday, July 3 Report this
BettyVerdammt
Only Evergreen graduates would celebrate public subsidy for favelas. The city manager and his pet council will continue to pour funds into one hundred sodden shacks that routinely flood, then bloom black mold. They do gain one hundred voters, so do not expect any change.
Sunday, July 5 Report this
Slugcultrise138
As a former resident of both mitigation and quince street village who was on the site council for over a year, I can tell you two things with absolute certainty. 1) catholic community services employees are extremely corrupt at the higher levels, while those who end up doing the grunt work at that place are basically saints. I've never seen so much genuine kindness and understanding from people working in the homeless community as I did there over the 5 years i was a resident and community member. 2) the funds that are allocated to that program do not all end up there by any means. The majority of it does not, in fact. And that corruption i spoke of eats the vast majority of it. Plain and simple.
However, with that being said, it is far better to have the kind of people who live there actually living there instead of in your neighborhoods. Look at it like that. I promise, you do not want them camping down at the end of your block. Or near your grocery stores. Not funding these programs doesn't just make the homeless problem go away. In fact, it brings it into your living room. And you do not want that.
Sunday, July 5 Report this
EdgarAllen
Is it too much to ask for metrics? The village has been operating for many years. I think it is reasonable, with the considerable ongoing cost considered, to ask for some data from the City of Olympia and service providers on how many people have, as the article mentions and attributes to the City, "recovered physically and psychologically" in the village and rejoined society as happy, healthy, productive adults in the community. How many folks recovered from houselessness and stayed housed by their own means due to the help provided by the community?
Monday, July 6 Report this