Thurston Homeless Services Advisory Board
The primary purpose of the Homeless Services Advisory Board is to make recommendations to the Thurston Regional Housing Council (RHC) on priorities, funding and policies related to the expenditures of the Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG), Housing and Essential Needs (HEN), HB 2163, HB 1277, and Human Services Fund. Additionally, the Homeless Services Advisory Board will make recommendations on any funding designated for homeless services by the RHC from the Thurston County Home Fund.
The Thurston County Homeless Response Manager or appointed staff support the work of the Homeless Services Advisory Board and act in an administrative role and as liaisons with the RHC.
- Board Membership Board membership must include representatives from the following groups: The jurisdictions of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, and unincorporated Thurston County must each be represented by at least one member who is a resident of or represents an organization that provides homeless services that substantially operates in their jurisdiction. If a qualified member from a jurisdiction is not identified, a position on the Board will be held open until a qualified member from that jurisdiction is approved to serve on the Board. Each jurisdiction should pro-actively work to recruit potential members to apply to serve on the Advisory Board.
- Two members must be active members of the Thurston Thrives Housing Action Team. One member will be an active representative of the Homeless Housing Hub, Thurston County’s Local Continuum of Care for the Homeless Crisis Response System.
- Two members must come from the Lived Experience Steering Committee or be someone who has experienced homelessness.
Board Members may include representatives from the following groups, with the intent to have a diverse mix of representatives with expertise in homeless services on the Advisory Board with no more than three persons representing each of the following categories. Provider representatives should consider appointing front line staff as well as leadership staff into these positions.
- Homeless outreach provider
- Faith community members providing homeless services, shelter, outreach, or hygiene.
- Shelter provider
- Homeless Liaisons from School Districts in the County
- Coordinated Entry provider
- Behavioral health or primary care provider
- Youth and young adult advocate or representative of Youth Advisory Board
- Senior advocate or representative
- Family advocate or representative
- Veterans advocate or representative
- Peer agency
- Domestic Violence/Sexual Abuse/Human Trafficking advocate or representative
- Neighborhood representative
- By and For Community Member. By and For organizations are operated by and for the community they serve. Their primary mission and history are serving a specific community and they are culturally based, directed, and substantially controlled by individuals from the population they serve. At the core of their programs, the organizations embody the community’s central cultural values. These communities may include ethnic and racial minorities; immigrants and refugees; individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, individuals with disabilities or who are deaf; and Native Americans.
Meeting Information
The Homeless Services Advisory Board will meet on the third Monday of the month from 3:30-5:00 p.m. to be held at 3000 Pacific Ave - The Atrium in Room 188.
Attend virtually on Zoom. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89153961087
Supplemental Request for Proposal meeting called for Thursday, March 27, 2025 from 12:00 - 4:00
Only on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81570302073