County public‑health staff presented the Thurston County 2025–2030 Local Homeless Housing Action Plan to commissioners, summarizing plan objectives required by the Department of Commerce and the staff‑developed strategies to meet them.

Staff said the plan focuses on five objectives prescribed by Commerce — an equitable, accountable crisis response; strengthening the provider workforce; preventing homelessness; prioritizing assistance for people with greatest barriers and harm risk; and creating housing pathways that meet people’s needs. The plan also includes resource‑allocation priorities that emphasize maintaining existing response systems, improving coordination and data, expanding capacity, and using capital resources to create affordable housing.

Public engagement: staff summarized a 30‑day public comment period (13 comments total), a public hearing on Oct. 21, and stakeholder workshops. Staff said some public commenters sought production targets and zoning reforms (outside the plan’s purpose); others asked for stronger coordinated entry and encampment‑response measures. The plan includes an objective on accountability and calls for annual reporting to Commerce; staff noted the county will file annual progress reports and committed to returning with metrics and more regular updates upon commissioners’ request.

Commissioners raised concerns about a large encampment in Olympia and asked how outreach, service delivery and environmental health oversight are coordinated; staff said outreach providers are active, that coordinated entry and regional partnerships operate through the Regional Housing Council, and that annual reporting and an RHC briefing are required. Several commissioners suggested more frequent implementation updates (monthly or quarterly) and asked staff to identify concrete performance metrics.

Why it matters: The plan is a statutory requirement and establishes county priorities for scarce resources affecting people experiencing homelessness and service providers. Commissioners emphasized the need for clear, timely updates to respond to media reports and constituent questions.

What’s next: Staff will bring the plan to the Dec. 16 business meeting for final adoption and will follow up with the Regional Housing Council and with commissioners on suggested reporting metrics and a communications plan for high‑profile encampments.