Plum Street Village, one of Olympia's programs to combat homelessness, will transition into a workforce entry-supported home village to empower residents to secure permanent housing.
Plum Street Village has operated as a shelter with supportive services since 2018 under a contract with the Low Income Housing Institute, based in Seattle.
Olympia announced through its request for proposals that Plum Street Village will evolve into a workforce-supported facility. All residents will be expected to obtain employment or continued education. (See the request for proposal attached to this story.)
The transition aims to assist residents in stabilizing their lives and finding permanent housing by providing tools and connecting them to necessary services. The city intends for Plum Street Village to operate as what it calls a “lower acuity site that does not allow drug and alcohol use on site.”
The tiny home village will prioritize individuals living on public rights-of-way for placement. In addition, individuals from Maple Court, Unity Commons shelter, and Franz-Anderson Tiny Home Village will also receive priority, as these programs fall under the state's rights-of-way initiative.
To facilitate the transition, Olympia has requested proposals inviting qualified respondents interested in operating Plum Street Tiny Home Village, which has 29 units at 830 Union Street.
Proposals can come from partnerships, service providers, or non-profits, and they must identify the lead respondents and project managers.
The city has scheduled a meeting for potential service providers tomorrow at 2 p.m. The deadline for proposals is on September 25.
The selected operator will maintain site control and oversight through a yearly lease renewal. The property is well-situated, with access to transportation, utilities, and communal amenities.
The city seeks proposals from a provider with experience in similar projects, demonstrates an understanding of site management, and includes a clear plan for workforce and education initiatives. It should also identify community partners and align with Thurston County's Homeless Crisis Response Plan.
The city will select an operator by September 29, with negotiations set to be completed in time for the city council to approve a contract on October 30. The request for proposals states that the contract is “not to exceed”$1 million annually.
Proposals must be submitted by email, and questions can be directed to dlightfo@ci.olympia.wa.us.
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