Title
Public Hearing on Olympia Housing Action Plan
Recommended Action
Move to open the public hearing and receive comments on the Housing Action Plan. Following the hearing, discuss summary letter for City Council and move to give the Chair authority to review and sign the final letter following the meeting.
Report
Issue:
Whether to hold a public hearing on the Housing Action Plan. Olympia’s Housing Action Plan will define strategies and actions that promote more housing, more diverse housing types, affordability and stability.
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Strategic Projects Manager, Community Planning & Development, 360.280.8947
Presenter(s):
Amy Buckler, Strategic Projects Manager
Background and Analysis:
The Planning Commission is asked to hold a public hearing on the draft Olympia Housing Action Plan and provide a letter to City Council summarizing the public’s comments. The Commission is not asked to make a formal recommendation.
The Planning Commission heard briefings on the Housing Action Plan project on February 22 and May 3, 2021.
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 completed several deliverables that provide necessary background information and identify strategies and potential actions the cities can take. These are available on the attached Engage Olympia page and include:
• A housing needs assessment, including a 25-year projection of housing affordable at different income levels.
• A landlord survey, to better understand what residents are paying for rent and how rents are changing.
• A draft regional housing action plan (menu of actions) cities can take to ensure housing stock adequate and affordable for current and future residents.
At this time each city is conducting their own public review process to determine which actions to include as they adapt the regional draft into city-specific housing action plans. Each city will adopt their own housing action plan by June of 2021, in order to meet the requirements of the grant which funds this work.
Next Steps - Public Process
With help from staff, the Commission will write a letter to the City Council summarizing what was heard at the public hearing. Chair Millar will attend the May 27 Land Use Committee meeting to provide a report out.
• May 27- Land Use Committee Briefing
• June 7 - OPC to complete comment letter
• June 17 - Land Use Committee Briefing
• June 22 - City Council Adoption
Following adoption of the Housing Action Plan, public engagement and implementation of housing actions will be ongoing. The City will also hold a public process to update the Housing Element of the Comprehensive Plan between 2022-2025.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
A report from the housing survey posted at Engage Olympia in March is attached.
Housing affordability and development are major issues of importance to the community. Olympia’s recently developed One Community (homeless response) Plan identified building more housing of all types for all incomes as a key priority moving forward.
Options:
1. Move to open the public hearing and receive comments on the Housing Action Plan. Following the hearing, discuss summary letter for City Council and move to give the Chair authority to review and sign the final letter following the meeting.
2. Move to open the public hearing and receive comments on the Housing Action Plan. Following the hearing, discuss summary letter for City Council and ask staff to complete a draft letter for review and approval at the Commission’s next meeting.
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 Housing Action Plan
Written Public Comments as of May 7
Letter Template
Survey report
Link to Engage Olympia page