Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Agreement Between the City of Olympia, Thurston County, and the Housing Authority of Thurston County for Producing the Thurston County 2023-2027 Assessment of the Fair Housing Plan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Olympia, Thurston County, and the Housing Authority of Thurston County for producing the Thurston County 2023-2027 Assessment of the Fair Housing Plan.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Olympia, Thurston County, and the Housing Authority of Thurston County for producing the Thurston County 2023-2027 Assessment of the Fair Housing Plan.
Staff Contact:
Darian Lightfoot, Housing Programs Manager, 360.280.8951
Presenter(s):
Darian Lightfoot, Housing Programs Manager, 360.280.8951
Background and Analysis:
This Interlocal Agreement between the City of Olympia, Thurston County, and Housing Authority of Thurston County outlines the collaborative creation of the 2023-2027 Thurston County Five-year, Regional Assessment of Fair Housing Plan. This is required by the federal United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidance “A practical Guide to Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing”. This plan includes collecting and analyzing data for the entirety of Thurston County inclusive of all jurisdictions that receive or are party to HUD funding.
Throughout the next several months, staff will review source documents and best practices from other jurisdictions, design and conduct a survey of stakeholders; and
write, edit, and produce two drafts (first and final) of the Assessment Fair Housing Plan for submission to HUD by December 15, 2022.
The Assessment of Fair Housing was introduced as a new initiative during the Obama Administrative. The City, in conjunction with Thurston County and the Housing Authority of Thurston County, created the first plan in 2019 and submitted to HUD for review and approval. The Trump administration, however, rescinded the requirement and the submitted plan was neither reviewed nor adopted. Last year, entitlement communities were informed the plan requirement is being reinstated and is not required at this time but will be by the end of the calendar year. Because the City and Thurston County are in the process of creating the updated 2023-2027 HUD Consolidated Plan, staff felt appropriate to combine outreach efforts, data collection, and overall analysis and moved forward with the Assessment of Fair Housing Plan to offer a better depiction of housing in the community.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Safe, stable, and equitable housing in a high priority in this community. The plan will capture gaps in our processes, connect residents to needed resources, and offer leadership a clear analysis on policy improvements to enhance housing stability throughout Thurston County.
Options:
1. Approve the Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County and the Housing Authority of Thurston County proposed by staff
2. Approve the Interlocal Agreement with amendments
3. Take no action
Financial Impact:
The Assessment of Fair Housing Plan is being completed by internal staff who are subject matter experts in fair housing and work directly with the City’s federally funded programs. Only minor additional expenses will be required to complete the assessment outside of staff time which will be covered by both Thurston County (in-kind) and the Housing Authority of Thurston County ($15,000).
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement