Council hears update on Encampment Resolution Program; Quinn Street Village allocation under review by Department of Commerce

Thurston County staff told the Regional Housing Council that its funding recommendations for the Encampment Resolution Program (ERP) have been submitted to the Washington State Department of Commerce but that final allocations remain under negotiation.

Tom Webster said the county is still engaged with Commerce and is not yet under contract for the new state fiscal year; staff expects providers to be able to begin work July 1 on reimbursement contracts. Webster said, "we are not ready to publicly announce yet what the funding allocation is gonna be under the ERP" because further conversations with Commerce are ongoing.

Jay Birney, Olympia city manager, told the council Commerce had expressed concern about a recommended $500,000 allocation to Quinn Street Village and that Olympia intends to engage the county's legislative delegation in conversations with Commerce. Jay Birney said Olympia is "very concerned about the impact on our budget if we have to absorb that." Council members also noted a separate $500,000 shortfall reported for Unity Commons.

Why it matters: allocations in the ERP determine which providers and sites receive state reimbursement for encampment-related services; county staff said they expect contracts to be reimbursement-based and to allow providers to begin work July 1 once contracts are executed. The Quinn Street Village question could shift costs to local jurisdictions if Commerce does not approve the recommended allocation.

Staff emphasized the matter remains under discussion. No formal vote or change to the council's recommendation was recorded at the meeting.