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File #: 25-0546    Version: 1
Type: resolution Status: Passed
File created: 6/10/2025 In control: City Council
Agenda date: 6/17/2025 Final action: 6/17/2025
Title: Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Funding Agreement with Catholic Community Services for Quince Street Tiny Home Village
Attachments: 1. 06-17-2025 signed resolution M-2621, 2. Agreement

Title

Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Funding Agreement with Catholic Community Services for Quince Street Tiny Home Village

 

Recommended Action

Committee Recommendation:

Not referred to a committee.

 

City Manager Recommendation:

Move to approve a Resolution authorizing a Funding Agreement between the City of Olympia and Catholic Community Services for Quince Street Tiny Home Village.

 

Report

Issue:

Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing a Funding Agreement between the City of Olympia and Catholic Community Services for Quince Street Tiny Home Village. 

 

Staff Contact:

Kim Kondrat, Homeless Response Coordinator, 360.742.6448

 

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 to100. This expansion allowed the Homeless Response team to close an encampment located along Ensign Road and transition many of the residents from there to more stable and safe housing at what is now called the Quince Street Tiny Home Village (Quince Street).

 

Quince Street has also been a recipient of funding through the Washington State Department of Commerce aimed at assisting the Thurston County region in relocating individuals living on state right-of-way to more stable and safe housing. For the 2024-2025 state fiscal year, Quince Street received $500,000 in operating funds, which supports thirty tiny home units dedicated to individuals being moved from existing encampments located on state right-of-way. The Thurston Regional Housing Council has recommended that Quince Street continue to receive $500,000 in state Encampment Resolution Program funding for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

 

CCS has and continues to be a reliable and effective operator for Quince Street. Subsequently, the purpose of this agenda item is to seek Council approval in continuing to contract with CCS for the annual operations of Quince Street Village. CCS provides oversight and case management for all 100 residents with the goal of finding permanent housing that best fits their needs.

 

 

Climate Analysis:

No additional impact noted in this agreement.  

 

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):

There is significant public interest in homelessness and the City’s homeless response efforts. Catholic Community Services connects with neighborhood residents and business owners frequently about community impacts and opportunities for engagement. Staff have worked with law enforcement and surrounding businesses to lessen the congregation in the neighboring parking lots and mitigating community impacts. High staff turnover by providers in this field of work can sometimes lead to miscommunication and a lapse in engagement. City staff in partnership with CCS are working to improve processes for addressing issues and keep neighbors informed and community meetings more consistent.

 

 

Options:

1.     Move to approve a Resolution authorizing a funding agreement between the City of Olympia and Catholic Community Services for Quince Street Tiny Home Village.

2.     Modify the funding agreement between the City of Olympia and Catholic Community Services for Quince Street Tiny Home Village before approving.

3.      Do not approve a Resolution authorizing a funding agreement between the City of Olympia and Catholic Community Services for Quince Street Tiny Home Village, and direct staff to take other action

 

Financial Impact:

If approved, the funding agreement with Catholic Community Services will be to operate the site with 24/7 continual staffing for an annual maximum budget of $1,619,100.47. Quince Street Village is also supporting residents from the Coordinated Entry system and State’s Rights-of-Way Initiative, which for the current state fiscal year funds  $500,000 of the annual operating cost. The Home Fund is being used to fund the remaining $1,119,100.47.

 

Attachments:

Resolution

Agreement