The Thurston County Regional Housing Council approved its capital pipeline placement and funding recommendations for projects in the 2028 pipeline, awarding roughly $2,750,680 to multiple applicants while withholding funding for two proposals.

Sharlaya, an Affordable Housing Advisory Board member, told the council the panel recommended funding “the majority of the projects at a total of 2,750,680,” and outlined which applications were not funded. She said Reality Homes’ timeline would have required the council to fund the project after the developer spent money and recommended Reality Homes apply to the 2026 request for proposals instead. The advisory board also declined to fund Safe Place and encouraged that organization to meet with county or city staff to improve future applications.

The advisory board recommended awards including roughly $100,000 apiece to Homes First projects, $236,000 to Thurston Housing Land Trust, and $2,000,000 to Habitat for Humanity for a project at 3900 Boulevard. The council’s action was to approve the capital pipeline placement and funding recommendation as presented.

Emily Klaus, chair of the Regional Housing Council and a Thurston County commissioner, called for the vote after a motion and second. Michael Althouser seconded the motion. The council voted unanimously in favor.

The council’s approval means staff will proceed with the next steps to finalize awards and contracts for the funded projects. Sharlaya and staff reminded applicants that pipeline awards generally require resubmittal in future rounds if timelines or requirements change.

Membership and staff participating in the discussion emphasized that unfunded applicants should reapply and engage with staff to strengthen future proposals.

The council did not specify additional conditions beyond the funding recommendations presented on the staff report.