Title
Housing Action Plan Briefing
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on the Housing Action Plan scope of work. Briefing only; No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on the Housing Action Plan scope of work.
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Strategic Projects Manager, Community Planning & Development, 360.280.8947
Presenter(s):
Amy Buckler, Strategic Projects Manager
Background and Analysis:
Together, the cities of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater applied for and received $300,000 in grant funds from the WA Department of Commerce to use toward the development of housing action plans. Staff will provide a briefing about the scope and timeline for this project, which is just now getting underway.
The 2019 Washington State Legislature approved E2SHB 1923. Among other provisions, this legislation directs the Washington Department of Commerce to distribute grants to cities and counties to complete housing action plans. E2SHB 1923 requires these to incorporate multiple elements, including a housing needs assessment resulting in a projection of housing needs by various income levels and an income forecast compared to housing affordability.
The three cities have all signed an interlocal agreement directing a portion of the grant funds to the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) for data, analysis and some public engagement. Between now and January 2021, TRPC will prepare a regional housing needs assessment along with a menu of options for increasing the supply and variety of housing to serve the region's projected housing needs. Then each city will develop its own housing action plan. Olympia staff will also complete a review of the City's Comprehensive Plan Housing element for potential updates. Per the grant, the housing action plan needs to be adopted by June 2021.
A staff work group from the three cities and TRPC have formed and work is underway ...
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