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Thurston County awards $5.24 million to eight affordable‑housing projects, staff say awards will support 186 new units
Summary
Thurston County commissioners approved $5,236,242 in capital awards June 17 for eight affordable‑housing projects selected through a regional RFP; county staff said the awards are expected to support about 186 new units and 66 rehabilitated units.
The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners on June 17 approved capital funding awards totaling an estimated $5,236,242 for eight affordable‑housing projects selected through the regional Request for Proposals process.
Dr. Jen Freiheit, director of Public Health and Social Services, told commissioners the RFP drew 10 eligible applications requesting roughly $10.4 million in total. The selected awards are funded from the county’s local home fund and, as presented, are expected to support creation of about 186 new affordable units and rehabilitation of about 66 existing units.
Projects and recipients named during the meeting include Homes First (the Fran Anderson permanent supportive housing project and a preservation project for 26 affordable units), Rebuilding Together Thurston County (critical home repair), South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity (critical home repair and the Boulevard project), Low Income Housing Institute (the Fran Anderson permanent supportive housing project noted in HOME selection), and other local organizations. Alex Persse, the county affordable housing program manager, and Dr. Freiheit described the selection process as coordinated through the regional housing council and advisory board.
Why it matters: Local capital awards help move projects through predevelopment and construction phases and are commonly used to leverage other federal, state and private financing. County staff said these awards will support both new construction and rehabilitation projects that target low‑income households and vulnerable populations.
Process notes: The regional housing council and Thurston Affordable Housing Advisory Board participated in selection; the RFP closed in late February and awards were recommended to the board. Dr. Freiheit requested authorization for Public Health and Social Services to issue funding award letters to the selected applicants.
Next steps: Staff will issue award letters and proceed with individual project agreements and monitoring. The board voted to authorize Public Health and Social Services to issue the award letters and oversee the award process.
Speakers on record: Dr. Jen Freiheit (Public Health and Social Services) and Alex Persse (Affordable Housing Program Manager) presented the item and answered commissioner questions.
