Title
Briefing on the Safe Housing and Rental Efficiency Accelerator Pilot Program
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on the Safe Housing and Rental Efficiency (SHARE) Pilot Program.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on the SHARE Pilot Program.
Staff Contact:
Dominic Jones, Building Decarbonization Program Manager, City Manager’s Office, 360.753.8347
Presenter(s):
Dominic Jones, Building Decarbonization Program Manager
Background and Analysis:
Safe Housing and Rental Efficiency (SHARE) Accelerator
The SHARE Accelerator is a voluntary City of Olympia pilot program, developed by Climate and Housing staff through a partnership with Olympia Community Solar (OCS). The program aims to connect owners of affordable rental housing within city limits to funding, guidance, and resources to streamline energy efficiency as well as health and safety upgrades. The pilot will support 10 rental units between 2026-2029, helping to create healthier, safer, and more energy-efficient homes.
To participate in the SHARE Accelerator pilot, rental properties must meet the following requirements:
1. Eligible units: Single-family rental properties or 2-4 unit multifamily buildings (including ADUs).
2. Location: Properties must be located within Olympia City Limits.
3. Affordable rents: Landlords must charge affordable rents for the unit participating in the SHARE Accelerator Program. This includes:
• Subsidized affordable housing, such as Project Based-Section 8 housing, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Properties, and housing projects with local Home Fund or statewide Housing Trust Fund investment.
• Naturally occurring rental housing that is affordable for households at 80% of the area median income (AMI).
• Rental housing that is occupied by low-income households, defined as 80% AMI, including multifamily buildings where greater than 50% of the households earn 80% or less of AMI
4. Rental Registry and Inspection Program compliance: Properties must be in compliance with the City’s Rental Registry and Inspection Program.
SHARE Accelerator program benefits to property owners include:
• Two building assessments: A rental housing inspection, meeting Rental Registry and Inspection Program requirements, and an energy audit.
• A custom upgrade report outlining a recommended scope for health, safety, and efficiency improvements, as well as connections to external funding and financing.
• Program-exclusive incentives, up to $15,000 per rental unit from existing program funds.
• Up to 30 hours of free technical assistance and project management support to complete building upgrades, valued at over $5,000.
• Waiver of annual Rental Registration fees, and exemption from the participating unit’s regularly scheduled rental housing inspection
Building owners participating in the SHARE Accelerator will be required to execute a 7-year Affordability Covenant, requiring the building owners to maintain the use of the property as an affordable rental unit as a condition of receiving program assistance.
Climate Analysis:
The proposed action directly supports the City’s climate goals and policies by implementing Comprehensive Plan Climate Policy PL5.8 “Provide technical guidance and other incentives to encourage electrification and energy efficiency retrofits in existing buildings. Prioritize retrofits in overburdened communities and include protections to avoid displacement and financial burden on renters and small businesses”.
Residential buildings are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Olympia, and providing energy efficiency retrofits through the SHARE Accelerator will enable a long-term reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Analysis:
The SHARE Accelerator Program directly benefits low-income rental households by supporting energy efficiency retrofits for owners of affordable rental properties. Reducing the upfront cost of energy efficiency improvements for landlords addresses the rental unit split incentive, where property owners pay for energy upgrades, while tenants receive the savings from reduced utility costs. Heat pump space conditioning and weatherization retrofits also offer resilience co-benefits, including access to cooling, as well as improved comfort and indoor air quality.
Another benefit to low-income households includes the preservation of affordable rental housing in Olympia. As part of participation in the SHARE Accelerator, participating property owners execute an Affordability Covenant, ensuring the rental unit charges affordable rents, and is maintained as a rental property for a seven-year period.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
In 2023, the City of Olympia conducted an Assessment of Fair Housing in Collaboration with Thurston County, and the Housing Authority of Thurston County. Of the 600+ total community survey respondents, approximately 300 were renters and 80 were Housing Choice Voucher participants. The top three environmental health concerns by renters were high heating costs or insufficient heat, high cooling costs, or insufficient cooling, and mold.
Financial Impact:
The SHARE Accelerator is fully funded by one-time grant opportunities. This includes a $350,000 award from the US Department of Energy Buildings Upgrade Prize, as well as a $350,000 PSE Decarbonization Grant. These grants do not require matching funds.
Options:
1. Receive a briefing on SHARE Pilot Program.
2. Do not receive a briefing on SHARE Pilot Program.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
None