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County approves $560,000 contract for 14 affordable townhomes in Tumwater
Summary
The Board approved a $560,000 contract with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity to build 14 affordable ownership units (Phase 1 of ToLeechin Townhomes); funding comes from the local Home Fund sales‑and‑use tax.
The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners approved a $560,000 contract with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity on May 6 to support Phase 1 of the ToLeechin Townhomes project, county officials said.
Dr. Jen Freitheit, director of Public Health and Social Services, told the board the contract will fund construction of seven duplexes (14 units) on Halverson Lane Southeast in Tumwater; when all phases are complete the development is intended to provide 28 affordable homeownership units. The county said the funding will come from the local Home Fund, a countywide sales‑and‑use tax of one‑tenth of 1 percent (0.1%) that supports affordable housing projects.
Freitheit said Habitat applied to the county’s Office of Housing and Homeless Prevention request for proposals in April 2024 and that the Thurston Affordable Housing Advisory Board recommended the award to the Regional Housing Council, which gave unanimous approval May 8, 2024. The board previously approved the preliminary funding award on June 18, 2024, Freitheit said.
A motion to approve the contract and to authorize the director to execute the agreement and any amendments not exceeding 10% passed on a voice vote. The meeting record indicates the motion and a second were made; commissioners voted "Aye" and the chair declared the motion carried.
Votes at a glance: • Approval of May 6 agenda: motion carried (voice vote; unanimous). • Approval of consent items 1–3: motion carried (voice vote; unanimous). • Approval of contract with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity: approved by voice vote; $560,000 for 14 units; director authorized to sign and approve amendments up to 10%.
The county identified the funding source as the local Home Fund sales‑and‑use tax, and the project will be sold to low‑income, first‑time homebuyers when complete. Freitheit and county staff thanked commissioners and the Regional Housing Council for supporting the project.
