As preparation for the new site is almost complete, Olympia Housing Programs manager Darian Lightfoot said yesterday that residents would begin to move to Quince Street Village by July or August.
The city had previously stated "the move is set to take place in May/June 2022" on its website.
Quince Street Village is set to become the new home for people housed at the Mitigation Site, and will provide 100 tiny homes for people experiencing homelessness.
The people living at the Mitigation Site, located at the northwest corner of Olympia Avenue and Franklin Street in downtown Olympia, are going to be relocated to 1211 Quince Street, the former location of the Quality Inn hotel. These details were discussed at Olympia Housing Program’s third public meeting on the subject, held Monday, June 13.
During the meeting, Lightfoot stated that around 70 to 90 community members were attending online last night, as well as this reporter.
CCS operates the facility
In January 2019, Olympia opened the Mitigation Site on the corners of Franklin and Olympia Streets for homeless individuals. In April 2020, Lightfoot said the city contracted with Catholic Community Services to operate and manage the site.
"Over time, the site has evolved and developed," she said. "Tiny house units replaced tents on pallets, plumbed restroom facilities with showers replaced portable toilets, increased coordination with community services and connections to resources, and data entry of participants into Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to track outcomes."
CCS will continue to manage the Quince Street Village operation, Lightfoot added.
CCS site supervisor Candis Hannah said they would provide 24/7 staffing for the facility. “Our staff are trained in crisis prevention and to institute non-violent crisis prevention.”
New rules
Among the rules that CCS will implement at the new site include no visitors being allowed onsite, except for case managers or other supportive professionals.
For fire and safety measures, CCS will prohibit smoking in units, open fires or heat sources not approved by the Olympia Fire Department.
Code of Conduct and Participant Agreement
CCS program director Gabe Ash said each individual who comes to the site has to agree to and sign participant’s Code of Conduct, focusing on the health and safety of the site participants, the staff and the neighborhood.
Ash added that residents must also sign the Participant Agreement, which prohibits illegal activity, possession of weapons, violence or threatening behavior in and around the site.
The Participant Agreement also prohibits trespassing on neighboring private property.
“The Participant Agreement requires that individuals acknowledge that rule. Violations may result in expulsion from the site. Prospective participants will undergo a background check and may not be admitted if CCS staff determines that there is a safety risk to other site participants or neighbors,” Ash said.
The city is imposing a similar set of obligations and rules on individuals who are camping on Ensign Road, near Providence St. Peter Hospital.
Community concerns
The new site is located near three schools, St. Michael Parish School, Avanti High School, and Madison Elementary School.
During the meeting, parents and business owners asked about the neighborhood safety and if there would be a greater police presence in the area.
Assistant city manager Keith Stahley assured the community that the police, who have actively participated in the project's planning process, will continue to provide services to the site.
Ash said the CCS would hold quarterly meetings with neighbors. “CCS staff work closely with Olympia Police District and Olympia Fire Department. We will provide a point of contact for neighbors of the site.”
Sex offenders
According to Ash, the potential presence of sex offenders is one of the church's and schools' biggest concerns. “We heard that concern and we took that very seriously.”
CCS is implementing a new procedure for the new site, Ash said. “We check on the [sex offender] registry. If there is an individual [who is on the registry], we could contact somebody and find alternative options for housing or shelter for that individual.”
“It is challenging for people with those offenses. We're not allowing those individuals at this time [at the Quince Street Village]. We are trying to be responsive to the neighborhood,” he said.
Ash said they have various sources to work with individuals with their particular cases, including mental health issues and substance abuse.
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