Thurston County Allocates $1.4 Million to Preserve Affordable Housing at Courtside Apartments
County’s Broader Housing Strategy: $6 Million Approved for Various Affordable Housing Projects
According to The Olympians, Thurston County is making a major move to save affordable housing by committing $1.4 million to preserve 112 units at Courtside Apartments located on Olympia’s west side. Vital Housing LLC a company from Seattle warned that these apartments would lose their affordability restrictions without this funding potentially causing rents to rise by over $350 by January 2027. The Board of County Commissioners approved this funding last month. This decision reflects the county’s dedication to ensuring that low-income residents maintain stable housing and highlights the growing need for affordable housing in the area.
This effort is part of Thurston County’s larger strategy to tackle housing issues. The county is projected to need around 55,000 new housing units by 2045 due to expected growth. Of these, more than 16,000 units must be affordable for families earning 30% to 80% of the area median income. Recently, the county approved nearly $6 million for several affordable housing projects. These include redevelopment initiatives by Behavioral Health Resources and Homes First as well as supportive housing projects by the Low Income Housing Institute and South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity.
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Thurston County Resumes and Expands Affordable Housing Funding for Next Three Years
Looking forward Thurston County plans to invest even more in affordable housing over the next three years. The Regional Housing Council has resumed its funding process which was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new plan includes substantial investments for 2025, 2026 and 2027. Projects slated for funding include tiny home villages, senior cottages and micro-townhomes. These investments are intended to provide long-term solutions and financial stability for organizations working to meet the county’s housing needs.