Skip to content

September 2024 Government Affairs Report

City of Olympia

City of Olympia

City of Olympia-council meeting updates

  1. City is beginning a planning process to implement new state requirements for ‘Middle’ housing.  If you want to be added to the email list to receive draft code amendments and public engagement opportunities, etc
    1. email:  middle@ci.olympia.wa.us and ask to become a ‘Party of Record”’
    2. More info:  Middle Housing (olympiawa.gov)
  2. City voted to accept Olympia Strong as the guiding Economic Plan for the City.
    1. TCRA members were involved in the community process of this plan and we also heard the presentation at one of our month GA meetings.
    2. Olympia Strong: A Roadmap to Economic Opportunities | Engage Olympia (olympiawa.gov)
  3. Amendment passed to fill a gap in the Camping Ordinance to include City Right of Ways.
  4. Council briefed on Destination Master Plan lead by Experience Olympia and Beyond.
    1. TCRA members were involved with initial Stakeholder group meetings.

Ways to get involved & Stay informed:

Thurston County

City of Lacey

  • (Information Only) Multi-Family Tax Exemption-MJR Project, Woodland District, 8-Year Exemption Application/ 50 Unit Apartment Building-Studios, 1 & 2 Bedroom
    • Exemption adopted December 2014 and applies to housing units only
    • 8-year Exemption market rate housing
    • 12-year Exemption 20% units affordable housing
    • New construction/conversions/rehabilitation
    • Ad Valorem exemption and redistribution
    • Non-qualifying:
      • Land
      • Non-housing improvements
    • Seeking contract approval October 2024

City of Tumwater

  • Approved- Interagency Agreement with Washington Department of Commerce for State Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program-Award Amount $447,540, funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act.
    • This will benefit the following:
      • Low-income single and multifamily households with a household income of 80% or less of Area Median Income
      • Moderate income and multifamily households with the household income between 80% and 120% of Area Median Income
    • Funding will cover:
      • Electric Heat Pump Water Heater
      • Electric Air-source or Ground source Heat Pump for Space Conditioning
      • Residential Induction Kitchen Equipment (Ranges)
      • Electric Heat Pump Clothes Dryer
      • Electrical Service and panel upgrade needed for installation of high-efficiency electric equipment
      • Electric wiring needed for the installation of high-efficiency electric equipment
      • Education and Outreach resources
      • Program Administration

Thurston County Board of County Commissioners

  • Approved- Commerce Grant Agreement for Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program
    • Thurston County was awarded $472,263 through the State Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program. This program allocates funding from the WA Climate Commitment Act for local governments, Tribal governments, and Tribal supporting entities to provide rebates and incentives to households and/or small businesses, for the installation of high-efficiency electric equipment and appliances to help achieve Washington’s emissions reduction goals for the building sector.
    • This will benefit the following:
      • Low-income single and multifamily households with a household income of 80% or less of Area Median Income
      • Moderate income and multifamily households with the household income between 80% and 120% of Area Median Income
    • Funding will cover:
      • Electric Heat Pump Water Heater
      • Electric Air-source or Ground source Heat Pump for Space Conditioning
      • Residential Induction Kitchen Equipment (Ranges)
      • Electric Heat Pump Clothes Dryer
      • Electrical Service and panel upgrade needed for installation of high-efficiency electric equipment
      • Electric wiring needed for the installation of high-efficiency electric equipment
      • Education and Outreach resources
      • Program Administration
  • Approved-Contract with Homes First, Single Family Home Acquisition for Affordable Housing-$375,000
    • Homes First applied to Thurston County’s Office of Housing and Homeless Prevention’s Request for Proposals for Capital Projects in March 2024. The application included a proposal to acquire a single-family home on Deerbrush Loop in Lacey to utilize as affordable rental housing. The property is a single story three-bedroom home. The purchase of the property will create an additional unit of affordable rental housing.
  • Approved-Contract with Homes First, 4-plex Acquisition for Affordable Housing-$635, 969
    • Homes First applied to Thurston County’s Office of Housing and Homeless Prevention’s Request for proposals for Capital Projects in March 2024. The application included a proposal to acquire a 4-plex located on Franklin Street in Olympia to utilize as affordable rental housing. The property is a two-story four-plex with two apartments on each floor. The purchase of the property will create four additional units of affordable rental housing.
Scroll To Top