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, including a discussion of equity issues. Briefing only; No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on the Housing Action Plan, including discussion of equity issues. The Housing Action Plan will define strategies and actions that promote more housing, more diverse housing types and affordability.
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Strategic Projects Manager, Community Planning & Development, 360.280.8947
Presenter(s):
Amy Buckler, Strategic Projects Manager
Background and Analysis:
In 2019, the Washington state legislature made grant funds available to cities to develop housing action plans that promote more housing, more diverse housing types and affordability. In recognition of our shared housing market and the cross-jurisdictional need for affordable housing, the Cities of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater jointly applied for and received funds to collaborate on this effort.
With help from TRPC, the cities have now completed several deliverables that provide necessary background information and identify strategies and potential actions the cities can take, including:
• A housing needs assessment, including a 25-year projection of housing affordable at different income levels (see attached)
• A landlord survey, to better understand what residents are paying for rent and how rents are changing (see attached)
• A draft regional housing action plan (menu of actions) cities can take to ensure housing stock adequate and affordable for current and future residents (see attached)
The Draft Regional Plan will not be adopted. Rather, beginning at this time each city will conduct their own public process to determine which actions they will take. Each city will adopt their own housing action plan by June of 2021, to meet the requirements of the grant which funds this work.
At the meeting, staff will provide:
• A quick overview of the project and key findings from the Housing Needs Assessment (which was presented to LUEC in October)
• Findings from the Landlord survey
• Overview of six strategic focus areas identified in the draft regional housing action plan, including why these are important and how they address housing affordability and equity
• Next steps in the public process
• Discussion
Attached is a quick list of the actions identified in the regional report along with their current status in Olympia. Some initial action recommendations are made (many of which are already underway or fairly simple) while others are noted for further consideration (usually the more complex or costly actions). While Olympia has already implemented many important actions, with this effort we are only just beginning the process of identifying which additional actions are right for Olympia. The early recommendations on the list are subject to change as we learn more and hear from the public and stakeholders.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Housing affordability and development are major issues of importance to the community. The recently developed homeless response plan identified building more housing of all types for all incomes as a key priority moving forward.
Options:
Briefing only.
Financial Impact:
The Washington State Department of Commerce awarded Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater grants totaling $300,000 for development of housing action plans. Under an interlocal agreement, $150,000 will be directed to the Thurston Regional Planning Council for supportive tasks. Olympia will use its remaining $50,000 to support staff work on the effort.
Attachments:
Draft Regional Housing Action Plan
Status of Identified Actions in Olympia
Landlord Survey Report
Housing Needs Assessment
Process Timeline