Title
Review the Downtown Strategy Recommendations regarding Homelessness and Affordable Housing
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive the information. Discussion only; No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Whether to discuss the Downtown Strategy and work associated with homelessness and affordable housing.
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Senior Planner, Community Planning & Development, 360.570.5847
Presenter(s):
Amy Buckler
Anna Schlecht, Housing Program Manager
Background and Analysis:
The year-long public process to form Olympia's Downtown Strategy (DTS) is drawing to a close. The final draft of the Strategy, which reflects the Planning Commission's recommendation, will be considered by City Council at their regular business meeting on April 25. Regional and citywide issues of homelessness and housing affordability are addressed in the DTS to the extent that these issues relate to Downtown.
Housing
As part of the scope for the Downtown Strategy, the planning team was asked to analyze and update housing strategies for Downtown in consideration of current markets and conditions; explore types of housing appropriate for Downtown within the context of a city-wide goal to provide diverse and affordable housing types; and form strategies to encourage a balanced housing stock in Downtown.
A link to the Housing element of the DTS is attached. Key findings and recommendations include:
* Maintaining a viable residential community Downtown is an important regional objective, and a vibrant Downtown depends on residential housing development and more local residents to support businesses, transit and pedestrian activity.
* A variety of Downtown housing options to meet needs of people with a wide range of incomes and lifestyles is an important public priority.
* The City is not a housing provider and has limited influence on the market; however, the City can encourage the type and amount of housi...
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