Olympia has new head of city's Home Fund

Olympia has appointed Darian Lightfoot to lead the city's Home Fund.

As manager of the Home Fund, Lightfoot will oversee the city's supportive and affordable housing projects to address homelessness in the city, with a budget of 1.3 million dollars in 2019, according to the city's Home Fund webpage.

“With the county’s newly approved home fund," commented Lightfoot in a press release, "I see an opportunity for thoughtful collaboration and a greater regional impact on affordable housing.”

Formerly Tacoma's contract and program auditor, Lightfoot worked as Olympia's Community Development and Block Grant Program (CDBG) and housing program manager back in March 2021 before her present appointment.

“I am very excited for this new role and to continue the work done by Olympia’s Home Fund,” Lightfoot added, who replaces Cary Retlin as manager.

Graduating with a master's degree in public administration from the University of Oregon, Lightfoot will also work on helping the city with its poverty reduction programs.

According to an Olympia city government press release, the Home Fund Levy provides more than $2 million in new revenue each year to develop and sustain supportive housing and affordable housing in the community, with 65% of the funding going to the construction of affordable housing and shelter and 35% supporting operations of homeless and housing programs.