City to partner with Thurston County Realtors Association and community groups on first-time homebuyer fair

City staff said they will partner with the Thurston County Realtors Association and community nonprofits to host a first-time homebuyer fair and education event at the Lacey Community Center on Nov. 8.

The event will be a free, one-day education fair aimed primarily at underserved communities and will feature tabletop exhibits, workshops and partner organizations that offer programs, grants and homebuyer counseling. Veronica said, “it—an be focused on underserved communities mostly, but it lso is open to everybody. It's a free event.” The city—xpects to help market the event and recruit partner organizations; the Realtors Association will organize exhibitor recruitment and workshops.

Commissioners discussed program alignment and eligibility: the Black Home Initiative (a nonprofit partner referenced in the discussion) helped refer the Realtors Association to the city. Commissioners also noted a 2023 state law, referenced in the meeting as the Covenants Homeownership Act (passed in 2023), that addresses racially restrictive covenants; a University of Washington analysis was cited during the discussion noting the presence of more than 1,700 properties in Thurston County documented with racially restrictive covenants. Commissioners said they welcomed the event as an opportunity to explain programs such as the state law and nonprofit supports but cautioned that some reparative programs have narrow eligibility requirements.

What the city will do: staff said the Department of Commerce and other partners may participate and that the city—an provide marketing and facility support. No formal city funding decision was recorded. Commissioners requested that staff ensure outreach to the communities the event intends to serve and to include nonprofit partners such as the Black Home Initiative.

Next steps: staff and the Realtors Association will continue event planning; the date mentioned in the meeting is Nov. 8 and the site named was the Lacey Community Center. No formal vote or financial commitment was recorded during the meeting.