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Thurston County, Washington

Public Health and Social Services

About the Council

The Regional Housing Council (RHC) was created with the primary purpose to leverage resources and partnerships through policies and projects promoting equitable access to safe and affordable housing in Thurston County. The RHC will consider issues specifically related to funding a regional response to homelessness and affordable housing and how to better coordinate existing funding programs to implement the county's Five-Year Homeless Crisis Response Plan and increase affordable housing options.

Thurston County and the cities of Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and Yelm formally adopted an interlocal agreement to formalize the RHC in February 2021. An elected official from each jurisdiction, supported by a designated alternate, serves as the voting member to the RHC. Senior leaders from jurisdictions as well as technical staff from the jurisdictions support the RHC. 

RHC Members

Carolyn Cox, Chair - City of Lacey Councilmember Carolina Mejia, Vice-Chair - Thurston County Commissioner
Jim Cooper - City of Olympia Councilmember Michael Althauser - City of Tumwater Councilmember
Brian Hess - City of Yelm Councilmember  
Picture of tents used by the houseless community in Thurston County

 

Jurisdictions Homelessness Programs Websites:

Lacey

Olympia

Tumwater

Thurston County

Staff Contact Information

Tom Webster, Housing Program Manager

Keylee Marineau, Homeless Prevention and Affordable Housing Coordinator

Thurston County’s Coordinated Entry Shelter and Housing Hotline:
1-844-628-7343

RHC Meeting Information

The RHC meets twice a month:

Watch past RHC meetings on YouTube

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and guidance, all meetings are currently conducted remotely.   
  • The public may view the meeting on Zoom at the zoom links listed above, on the second or fourth Wednesday  of each month, or can listen to the meeting by dialing toll-free 1-888-788-0099
    • Second Wednesday meeting ID 842 9831 2208 
    • Fourth Wednesday meeting ID 861 969 28529

The RHC encourages public participation and public comment. To provide comment during the RHC meeting, please register in advance at the registration zoom links listed above for the fourth Wednesday. 

Date Agendas Minutes
03/22/2023 Meeting Agenda Minutes
03/08/2023 Meeting Agenda Minutes
02/15/2023 Meeting Agenda Minutes
01/25/2023 Meeting Agenda Minutes
01/11/2023 Meeting Agenda Minutes

Affordable Housing Advisory Board

  • The first meeting of the AHAB will be on March 16, 2023 from 3:00-4:30pm to be held at Olympia City Hall in Room 112. 
  • The second meeting of the AHAB will be held on April 6th from 3:00-4:30pm. The zoom link will be posted prior to the meeting. 

Following these two initial meetings, the AHAB will meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 3:00-4:30pm at Olympia City Hall. 

  • April 20th  3:00-4:30. Olympia City Hall Room 423. 
  • May 18th 3:00-4:30. Olympia City Hall Room 112. 
03/16/2023 Proposed Agenda

Homeless Services Advisory Board

  • The first meeting of the HSAB will be on March 20, 2023 from 5:00-6:30pm to be held at Public Health and Social Services, 412 Lilly Rd NE, Olympia WA, 98506 - Rooms 107B & 107C.