Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Lease Agreement for Plum Street Village
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the resolution authorizing a new lease agreement with the Low Income Housing Institute for the Plum Street Village Tiny Home Village Project.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the resolution authorizing a new lease agreement with the Low Income Housing Institute for the Plum Street Village Tiny Home Project.
Staff Contact:
Cary Retlin, Home Fund Manager, Executive, 360.570.3956
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item
Background and Analysis:
On September 18, 2018, the City Council approved a funding plan for implementing homeless response strategies, including a Plum Street Village tiny house project. The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) has leased property owned by the City of Olympia for operation of the Plum Street Village facility as described in the lease agreement. The new lease agreement must be approved by the City Council.
Plum Street Village opened in February 2019 and has provided services to approximately 38 adults in 29 tiny houses since that time. LIHI works with the Community Action Council to screen vulnerable homeless adults for placement at the Village through the county’s Coordinated Entry system and place them at Plum Street Village.
LIHI staff provide security and connection to case management and social services for residents and have offices on site. The site also includes a communal kitchen area and a hygiene trailer (that includes bathrooms, showers and laundry).
Since Plum Street Village began providing shelter at the site, LIHI reports that 29 households have transitioned to permanent housing (12 placements occurred in 2020).
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There is significant public interest in homelessness and the City’s homeless response efforts.
LIHI hosts a meeting for neighbors and other community stakeholders at least quarterly. Neighbor conflicts are minimal based on observations made by staff attending the January 2021 meeting. Law enforcement call volume has not been a challenge for this site and is frequently mentioned as a success when siting affordable housing projects.
Options:
1. Move to approve the resolution authorizing a lease agreement with the Low Income Housing Institute.
2. Modify the lease agreement before approving. (Note that services are ongoing on the site).
3. Do not approve the lease agreement with the Low Income Housing Institute or direct staff to take other action. (This action would impact ongoing operations on the site).
Financial Impact:
The City of Olympia will lease the property to LIHI for an annual cost of One Dollar ($1) per year based and the public benefit to the homeless individuals sheltered on the property.
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement