County staff recommend $492,940 in reallocated rental assistance, $300,000 for critical home repair and temporary Maple Court extension

Thurston County staff presented several housing and homelessness items at the Sept. 9 agenda‑setting session, asking the board to place contract amendments and awards on the Sept. 16 consent agenda and to set a public hearing for the county’s 2025–2035 homeless housing plan.

Public Health and Social Services staff said they seek approval to amend contracts with the Family Support Center of South Sound and Community Youth Services (CYS) to add $92,940.69 in rental assistance funds that remained unspent from earlier local HOME allocations; staff said the amount will be split roughly equally between the two agencies. A PHSS representative said both agencies indicated they have unmet rental‑assistance needs and can quickly expend the added funds. The presenter said the funds were reallocated to respect the original intent for rental assistance and that the money came from local HOME funds previously committed to prevention efforts.

On affordable housing capital projects, staff presented for individual contract approval a $103,568.10 award to the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) for modernization of the Fleetwood Apartments elevator. Staff explained the award came from the Regional Housing Council’s Opportunity Fund, a set‑aside for emergent projects outside the RFP cycle, and that the Thurston Affordable Housing Advisory Board and the Regional Housing Council recommended funding.

The board also was asked to approve a $300,000 contract with Rebuilding Together Thurston County to support a critical home repair program that staff said will reach approximately 25 households. Presenters described the program as repairing homes for low‑income owners at no cost, saving units that otherwise risked becoming uninhabitable. Commissioners asked whether the program coordinated with veteran‑serving efforts; staff said they would follow up with coordination details.

Public Health presented Amendment No. 1 to extend and provide interim funding for operations at Maple Court enhanced shelter, adding $800,000 to extend the prior contract end date to Oct. 31, 2025, while a new, expanded scope of work is negotiated. Staff said negotiations with the Low Income Housing Institute and partner cities would continue through September and that the extension covers operational costs for July–October while the parties finalize a new contract.

Staff asked the board to set a public hearing on Oct. 21 at 3:30 p.m. to receive comment on the county’s 2025–2035 homeless housing plan for submission to the Washington State Department of Commerce; staff noted that the plan was discussed with the board on Aug. 13 and that local Regional CJTA recommendations and other inputs were included in the plan materials.

No final votes were recorded in the work session; staff requested that the items be added to the Sept. 16 consent agenda or set as public hearings where noted. Commissioners asked for follow‑up e‑briefs and, in the case of coordination with veteran services, directed staff to report back.