Olympia council reports: $500,000 seed proposed for affordable‑housing permit fund; transit redesign and opioid‑abatement planning advance

Several council members used the March 18 meeting to report committee activity and regional coordination on economic development, affordable‑housing supports, transit and opioid‑abatement planning.

Finance committee and housing support

Council Member Lisa Gilman, reporting from the finance committee, said committee members discussed scoped research on minimum wage, fair scheduling and workplace safety that will rely on academic research and community voices. Gilman also described a forthcoming proposal tied to the city’s emergency affordable‑housing package: staff will present details on a proposed initial seed of about $500,000 to stand up a fund to help pay permitting costs and otherwise assist affordable‑housing projects. Gilman said the finance committee will present a proposal for priorities and eligibility criteria to the full council.

Tax and revenue analysis

Gilman also summarized staff analysis of a possible change to the city’s…