Title
Special Meeting to Develop a Referral to Various City Council Committees or a Newly Formed Ad Hoc Committee for the Purpose of Developing a Broader City Response to Housing Affordability
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not previously referred to a Committee
City Manager Recommendation:
Conduct a special meeting of the three City Council Committee Chairs (Finance Committee, General Government Committee and Land Use and Environment Committee) to develop a referral plan for addressing the issue of housing affordability
Report
Issue:
Whether to refer the work items associated to address housing affordability to existing City Council Committees or to propose establishment of a new ad hoc committee or some combination.
Staff Contact:
Steve Hall, City Manager, (360) 753-8447
Keith Stahley, Director, CP&D, (360) 753-8227
Presenter(s):
Steve Hall
Keith Stahley
Background and Analysis:
Housing Affordability is a growing concern in Olympia, Thurston County and the Puget Sound Region. The current supply of available homes for rent or sale is low driving up costs and reducing overall affordability. The lowest income populations in Thurston County are having an especially difficult time finding and affording decent housing.
The City’s ability to influence and direct the overall housing market is relatively small but the City does have some influence particularly through land use regulation, zoning and fees. The City has also been very proactive for a city its size in finding creative ways to advantage and support low income housing for the very poor and the homeless.
Recently, a group of affordable housing advocates has been encouraging the cities of Lacey, Tumwater and Olympia to raise more funds to provide seed money for more affordable housing in Thurston County.
At its January 2017 City Council Retreat, the Council indicated an interest in establishing a new Ad Hoc Committee to help the City be strategic in how it addresses the Housing affordability issue.
On February 14, Council member Cooper suggested that the three Committee Chairs meet to recommend a plan for tackling the issue of housing affordability. Council concurred. A special meeting was quickly set for February 21 to begin this discussion of Council member Cooper’s proposal.
Staff had previously drafted a staff report and charter for an ad hoc committee. It is attached for reference purposes only.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Housing affordability is a communitywide issue.
Financial Impact:
The City has very few resources or staff devoted to the topic of housing affordability. Creation of a new committee or a significant work plan would need new additional staffing and funding to be successful.
Attachments:
Staff Report and Draft Charter for Ad Hoc Housing Committee