CONTACT: Renae Miller, Public Information Supervisor, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, (360) 463-0362 or renae.miller@co.thurston.wa.us 
Dr. Jen Freiheit, Director, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services

Thurston County Board of County Commissioners Approves Homeless Housing Plan for 2025-2030
The plan outlines the objectives, strategies, and tasks to be implemented in 2025-2030 to address homelessness and housing instability.

OLYMPIA – The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners approved the Thurston County Homeless Housing Plan for 2025-2030 on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Thurston County Public Health & Social Services, Office of Housing & Homeless Prevention program, led a core team of stakeholders and the Lived Experience Housing Steering Committee (LEHSC) in developing this plan starting in the summer of 2024.

Every five years, local jurisdictions in the state of Washington submit their Homeless Housing Plan to the Department of Commerce (Commerce). Commerce uses the local plans to inform a State Strategic Plan to the Legislature on Washington’s efforts to address homelessness. The state’s plan is a five-year roadmap identifying state and county activities and goals.

The core team of stakeholders and the LEHSC worked with Thurston County staff to conduct public engagement activities to ensure community members were aware of the plan and had a chance to provide input. Two surveys were conducted in February 2025 for community input and for input from homeless service providers. In the spring, there were three listening sessions with people experiencing housing instability and one listening session with homeless services staff.

The Thurston County Homeless Housing Plan was developed with the thoughtful input from the core team, LEHSC members, and the feedback from the public engagement. Once the plan was drafted, the LEHSC and other stakeholders worked with county staff to conduct outreach and promotion of the opportunity for public comment in the fall. After completing the plan based on public comments, the final draft was approved by the Thurston Regional Housing Council in November before approval by the Board of County Commissioners.

The Thurston County Homeless Housing Plan for 2025-2030 outlines the objectives, strategies, and tasks to be implemented in 2025-2030 to address homelessness and housing instability. The plan is based on available data and projected local housing and service needs in the coming years. It is a living document that will remain responsive to emerging issues, evidence-based practices, and system data identifying opportunities for continuous improvement over its lifespan. Additionally, the plan sets priorities for situations where the need for services exceeds available funding and resources.