New Regional Housing Council to expand on the work of a discontinued county division

Thurston County, Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Yelm finalized an agreement for the five jurisdictions to work together and pool resources in finding solutions to homelessness throughout the county’s communities.

The Regional Housing Council (RHC) replaces and expands the work done by the former Health and Human Services Council, reads a press release from the county today.

During a meeting on Feb. 18, Olympia City Councilperson Jim Cooper was selected as chair of the RHC and Thurston County Commissioner Carolina Mejia was selected as vice chair. Council members from the various jurisdictions comprise the voting members of the group.

“The commitment to work on housing regionally is inspiring,” said Cooper in the press release. “This is the way, and I’m so glad we are doing it together. I look forward to a day when our approach to caring for our less fortunate neighbors is unified across the region. This means meeting them where they are and providing individualized services and supports.”

The RHC was designed to leverage resources and partnerships promoting equitable access to safe and affordable housing. Its members have stated commitment to consider issues funding a regional response to homelessness and affordable housing, including coordinating existing programs.

Additionally, RHC is designed to help implement the county’s five-year Homeless Crisis Response Plan (HCRP).

“Thurston County is committed to working together with the other jurisdictions to create short and long-term action plans to address this complex matter. The signing of this agreement brings me so much hope as to what we can achieve as the Regional Housing Council and how we can provide support to some of our most vulnerable community members,” said Mejia in the press release.

According to the press release, the RHC’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Making recommendations to regional elected and appointed leaders on funding decisions related to implementing the HCRP and expanding shelter and affordable housing.
• Establishing an annual RHC work plan along with an annual budget.
• Submitting an annual report to the governing body of each jurisdiction.

The RHC may also:

• Monitor the HCRP and support actions necessary to implement the plan.
• Identify and support projects, programs, and policies to increase shelter and affordable housing through the region.
• Identify and support projects, programs, and policies to further the objectives of the HCRP and reduce the number of unsheltered individuals living in the region.
• Identify and support the construction and operation of supportive housing in the region.
• Serve as a regional forum for developing and implementing policies, programs, and projects related to homelessness and affordable housing.
• Develop communication protocols to assist local elected officials and the community in understanding the extent and nature of the homeless and housing crisis in the region.

To learn more about the RHC, read the full interlocal agreement at: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/phss/Pages/regional-housing-council.aspx