Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County for Funding of Quince Street Tiny Home Village Operations
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Olympia and Thurston County for funding of Quince Street Tiny Home Village operations.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Olympia and Thurston County for funding of Quince Street Tiny Home Village operations.
Staff Contact:
Darian Lightfoot, Director of Housing and Homeless Response, 360.280.8951
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
In January 2019, the City of Olympia opened the Mitigation Site at Franklin Street and Olympia Avenue to provide tent sites for individuals experiencing homelessness. The Mitigation Site was established to improve safety and access to services for unsheltered individuals and couples, and to reduce the impact of scattered encampments to downtown residents and businesses.
In April 2020, the City contracted with Catholic Community Services (CCS) to operate and manage the site. Over time, many site and service improvements have been added, including construction of tiny home units to replace tents, hygiene units with plumbed restroom facilities, and data entry of participants into Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to track outcomes.
In October 2021, the City used American Rescue Act funds to purchase the former Quality Inn property located at 1215 Quince Street. Site preparation and infrastructure was mostly completed in August 2022 and allowed for people to transition to the new site from downtown. Moving the site included expanding the number of residents served from 80-100. This expansion allowed the Homeless Response team to close Ensign Rd and transition residents to more stable and safe.
The ILA moves to ensure the site is being operated to benefit the region and is being supported financially by the region. Quince Street Village officially moved to accepting unhoused residents throughout the county when it expanded in August 2022 however the City has been the sole funder. This agreement allocates Thurston County ARPA funding that will cover a third of the contract for 2024 and identifies a plan for continued regional funding moving forward.
Climate Analysis:
This funding agreement has no change of impact in regard to carbon emissions.
Equity Analysis:
Quince Street Village is a low-barrier village meaning there are few exclusions that would prohibit a person from obtaining access to a tiny home. This includes previous evictions, mental illness, substance use, etc. People with higher acuity are often those who are chronically homeless and are a part of a marginalized community. Quince Street allows those residents with compounding barriers to access multiple services without having to navigate them independently. Catholic Community Services has a wonderful reputation in the community of providing equitable service delivery and supporting the residents in Olympia with the greatest need.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The community is incredibly interested in finding respite for people experiencing homelessness. Ongoing operations of this site is needed and could cause the displacement of 100 vulnerable members of the community if the budget gap was not addressed and contract not renewed.
Financial Impact:
Since 2019, the City has funded the Mitigation Site then Quince Street Village all on our own. Site improvements for the expansion cost over $1million of ARPA funding. The site is desperately needed in the community and a huge asset to the homeless response system. However, now that intakes are set up to enter residents throughout the county, a move made upon the closure of Ensign Road, City leadership has pressed the county to contribute to the $1.4 million contract amount to operate the site. This ILA supports the county in allocating $600k in Thurston County ARPA to help cover operating costs of Quince Street Village.
Options:
1. Approve the Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County for the funding of Quince Street Village.
2. Approve the Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County for the funding of Quince Street Village with amendments.
3. Take no action.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement