In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the pressing need for affordable housing in Thurston County, emphasizing the importance of planning for various income levels as mandated by House Bill 1220. The bill requires jurisdictions to address housing needs for all economic segments, particularly focusing on moderate, low, and extremely low-income households, while not mandating plans for those earning above 120% of the area median income.

The meeting highlighted that Thurston County currently has over 120,000 housing units, with 40% affordable to low-income households. However, projections indicate a significant shortfall, with an estimated need for 54,356 additional units over the next 25 years to accommodate the growing population. The demand is particularly acute for very low-income households, with a projected threefold increase in housing needs for this group and a twentyfold increase for permanent supportive housing.

Officials noted that existing comprehensive plans and housing strategies would be updated to reflect these new requirements, ensuring that jurisdictions identify the number of households in each income range they plan to serve. Lacey, one of the cities in the county, currently has the highest portion of affordable housing but also faces the greatest future demand, with a projected need for nearly 10,000 additional low-income units.

The meeting also addressed zoning regulations, with officials confirming that Lacey has sufficient land to meet its housing needs without requiring significant changes. However, neighboring jurisdictions may need to adjust their zoning to accommodate low-income housing development.

Concerns were raised about the balance between providing affordable housing and attracting high-income businesses to the area. Officials acknowledged the importance of fostering a diverse economic base to support the community's growth and prevent potential socioeconomic challenges.

As the jurisdictions prepare to integrate these findings into their comprehensive plans, the collaborative effort aims to ensure that Thurston County can effectively address its housing crisis while accommodating future growth. The next steps include seeking approval from the Thurston Regional Planning Council for the housing need allocations, expected to take place in the coming months.