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Thurston County approves $560,000 for 14 affordable townhomes in Tumwater
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners voted May 6 to award $560,000 from the county Local Home Fund to South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity to build 14 affordable homeownership units as Phase 1 of the Talichan Townhomes on Halverson Lane SE in Tumwater.
Thurston County commissioners on May 6 approved a $560,000 contract with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity to build 14 affordable homeownership units on Halverson Lane SE in Tumwater. The Board authorized the director of Public Health and Social Services to execute the contract and amendments that do not exceed 10 percent.
The funding supports Phase 1 of the Talichan Townhomes project, which will develop seven duplexes (14 units) for sale to low-income first-time homebuyers; county staff said later phases would bring the development to a total of 28 units when complete. Dr. Jen Freiheit, director of Public Health and Social Services, told the commissioners the award follows the Thurston Affordable Housing Advisory Board recommendation and unanimous approval by the Regional Housing Council.
“This is a request to approve a contract with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity for the total amount of $560,000 for the construction of 14 units to be sold for affordable homeownership,” Dr. Jen Freiheit said.
County staff described the source of the award as the Local Home Fund, a countywide sales-and-use tax of one-tenth of one percent dedicated to housing, noting that the tax does not apply within the cities of Olympia and Tenino, which have passed separate home-fund measures. Commissioners asked no substantive follow-up questions before moving and seconding the motion. Chair Ty Mentzer called the vote; all three commissioners present voted yes. Commissioners Mejia and Grant were excused.
Motion text recorded in the meeting: “I move to approve a contract with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity for the amount of $560,000 for the construction of 14 units to be sold for affordable homeownership and authorize the director of Public Health and Social Services to execute the contract and any amendments that do not exceed 10%.” The motion passed unanimously among the commissioners present.
County staff and the Regional Housing Council will proceed with contract execution and project implementation under the terms approved by the Board. The meeting record indicates the project was selected through the Office of Housing and Homeless Prevention request for proposals process in April 2024 and received preliminary county approval at the June 18, 2024 Board meeting.
