Affordable Housing
In order to improve the quality of life in our community, the Council continues its key role as a provider of affordable housing in our service area. The Council is the owner or General Partner in 340 family and senior units in Morton, Lacey, Yelm, Tumwater, Montesano and Centralia. During 2009, 44 units of affordable family housing were renovated, and another 44 family and 14 senior units are slated for improvements in 2010.
Through the Affordable Housing program, the Council served approximately 750 individuals in 2009. Nearly 100 additional people were helped with Rental Assistance funds, made available through our FEMA Rental Assistance program. The Council is always striving to assist as many people as we can, and we are in the planning stages to add a number of senior housing properties in Mason and Thurston Counties. Salmon Run, a 40-unit family complex in Yelm, is expected to break ground in 2010.
Federal funding through Department of Commerce and Thurston County for a new program, called the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP), will be available this year. This funding for local assistance is anticipated to begin in 2010 with at least 70 additional households expected to receive funds in the next two 1/2 years. To qualify, a household’s income must be 50% or less than the median income for Thurston County and on the verge of homelessness. In 2009, the Council received grant funding from the City of Lacey for 1-2 additional foreclosed upon properties to add to the affordable rental housing available. Despite this grant, funding for housing programs remains inadequate to meet our area’s significant need. In fiscal 2009, Federal Tax Credits and Tax Bonds were far less available compared to prior years, and Department of Commerce has announced that there will be no funding rounds in 2010 for the Housing Trust fund.
The Council works in partnership with local jurisdictions and communities in the development of rental assistance programs, including Housing Authority of Thurston County, Community Youth Services, SafePlace, BHR, CHOICE and the Family Support Center. The Council works in partnership with the State of Washington, HUD, USDA, private developers, and all local jurisdictions where funding is available to further develop and rehabilitate affordable housing.