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Tech team outlines RFP timeline, five-year homeless plan, Point-in-Time count and right-of-way funding changes
Summary
Thurston County staff updated the Regional Housing Council on an RFP schedule, development of a 2025–2030 Local Homeless Housing Plan, the Jan. 30 Point-in-Time count and a prospective reduction in right-of-way (encampment) funding allocations under a proposed state program.
Thurston County staff briefed the Regional Housing Council Jan. 22 on a series of program and operational items: the RHC RFP timeline, the county’s five-year Local Homeless Housing Plan (2025–2030), the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count and potential changes to right-of-way (encampment) funding allocations.
RFP timeline: Staff said the RHC request for proposals will be issued the Friday following the meeting, with applications due Feb. 28. Advisory boards will review applications in March and bring funding recommendations to the RHC after the April meeting.
Five-year Local Homeless Housing Plan: Alisa Sparkman (Thurston County Office of Housing and Homeless Prevention staff) summarized the plan required by the Washington State Department of Commerce. Commerce requires public notice and stakeholder engagement and identifies five state objectives that the local plan must address: promoting an equitable and accountable homeless crisis response system; strengthening the homeless-services workforce; prioritizing assistance for people with the greatest barriers to housing stability; preventing episodes of homelessness; and housing everyone in stable settings that meet their needs.
Staff outlined a development schedule: a public survey and targeted outreach this spring, drafting over late spring and summer, a public comment period and hearing in September, RHC approval in October and Board of County Commissioners adoption in November, with final submittal to the Department of Commerce in December 2025.
Point-in-Time count and hazardous-weather response: Staff said the annual PIT count’s main date is Thursday, Jan. 30, with events also on Jan. 31 and the following week; United Way is organizing volunteers and an online signup is available through United Way and the “I Count Thurston” Facebook page. Staff asked jurisdictions and partners to promote the survey and volunteer sign-up. County staff also reported a recent hazardous-weather shelter sequence organized by community partners; Sergio’s extended shelter reported nightly guest counts of 41, 54, 87 and 79 on successive nights during the event.
Right-of-way funding (Encampment Resolution Program): Staff reported the governor’s proposed statewide allocation for right-of-way/encampment funding is $45 million; that proposal would yield approximately $5.5 million for Thurston County under the distribution method staff anticipated. Staff noted the county currently receives about $9 million in right-of-way funding and said staff will return with funding-allocation options and recommendations in the April meeting to coordinate RFP decisions and any changes due to the encampment funding program.
Why it matters: The five-year plan guides county and regional homelessness strategy for 2025–2030 and is a required Department of Commerce submittal. The RFP schedule sets near-term project funding decisions, and the PIT count and shelter statistics inform immediate service needs and planning. Potential reductions in right-of-way funding would affect how the region allocates resources for encampment response and related services.
Next steps: Staff will post the RFP on the stated timeline, finalize and launch the public and provider surveys for the five-year plan, coordinate PIT volunteer recruitment with United Way and return with recommended approaches for aligning RFP awards with any state right-of-way funding changes.
