Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Interagency Agreement with the WA State Department of Commerce for a Grant to Complete a Regional Housing Action Plan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the resolution authorizing the Interagency Agreement with the Department of Commerce and authorizing the Interim City Manager to sign the agreement.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve an interagency agreement with the WA Department of Commerce to receive a grant to complete a regional housing action plan as described in the agreement.
Staff Contact:
Leonard Bauer, Interim Director, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8206
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar item
Background and Analysis:
The 2019 WA State Legislature approved E2SHB 1923. Among other provisions, this legislation directs the WA Department of Commerce to distribute grants to cities and counties to complete housing action plans.
Together with the Cities of Lacey and Tumwater, Olympia applied for a grant for a regional approach to their housing action plans. The three cities were awarded grants for a total of $300,000. Lacey and Tumwater were awarded $50,000, and Olympia was awarded $200,000. Under an interlocal agreement presented separately to the City Council, Olympia will direct $150,000 to the Thurston Regional Planning Council for public outreach, data analysis and other tasks for the three-city region to support the cities’ adoption of individual housing action plans.
E2SHB 1923 requires housing action plans to include multiple elements, including a housing needs assessment, which must result in a projection of housing needs by various income levels. It must also develop an income forecast and compare it to housing affordability. The regional approach will result in a menu of strategies to increase the supply of housing and variety of housing types to serve the region’s projected housing needs. Olympia will form its housing action plan from this menu of strategies. The Olympia Comprehensive Plan’s housing element will also be reviewed for potential updates. The detailed scope of work is in Attachment A of the interagency agreement.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There is a strong interest in meeting housing affordability needs throughout Olympia and the region.
Options:
1. Approve the resolution and direct the Interim City Manager to sign the Interagency Agreement to receive $200,000 grant for a housing action plan.
2. Do not approve the resolution.
Financial Impact:
The City will receive $200,000 to complete a housing action plan. Under a separate item being considered by the City Council, an interlocal agreement with the Cities of Lacey and Tumwater, and the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC), will provide $150,000 of the Olympia grant to TRPC for a regional approach to the plan. The remaining $50,000 of Olympia’s grant funds will support city staff work on the housing action plan.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement