The City of Lacey actively engages in a number of initiatives addressing poverty, affordable housing, and homelessness. This includes a variety of actions ranging from direct social service outreach to coordinated efforts with our regional and community partners. Our goal is to achieve a balance between compassion and public safety, while following the laws surrounding these issues.

 

As we continue navigating this complex situation, we welcome and invite community input to ensure we move forward, together. To provide feedback, call (360) 491-3214 or visit ci.lacey.wa.us/WeCare.

 

 

 

 


 Background
Recent court rulings define how governments can respond to homelessness. more »

Encampments in Lacey

In Lacey, encampments are primarily located in Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) right-of-ways (the land that borders I-5). The Washington State Patrol has jurisdiction over this land, not the City. However, the City recently arrived at an agreement with WSDOT to assume enforcement authority so the areas could be cleaned. more »

Community Resource Unit

The Lacey Police Department’s Community Resources Unit (CRU) provides outreach services to Lacey’s most vulnerable community members. more »

Mobile Outreach Team

In response to the need for outreach services to address the increase in homelessness, public display of behavioral health issues, and people in crisis within the City of Lacey, on July 15, 2021, the City Council approved the creation of a Mobile Outreach Team (MOT). The MOT began on August 23, 2021 and works collaboratively with the Police Department’s Community Resources Unit (CRU). The team consists of two crisis clinicians and two peer specialists.

 

The MOT assess clients at the request of a Lacey police officer. They identify the needs of the individual(s) and provide the necessary resources. Their focus is on the well-being of clients who are experiencing challenges related to community living, homelessness, mental health issues, and those who have an extensive history of utilizing health services, police services, and other community resources. The MOT and LPD utilize a creative and collaborative approach to improve the quality of life for the client and community. The goal is to reduce incidents of mental health crisis, homelessness, criminal behavior, violence, and self-harm.

 

See more information starting on Page 49 of the July 15 City Council Meeting packet »

Rapid-Response Clean-Up Team

We have also expanded the clean-up efforts across the City by adding a Rapid-Response Clean-Up Team. Two new, limited-term Public Works positions were recently added to assist with the collection and clean up of abandoned shopping carts, abandoned homeless camps, and nuisances on public lands in Lacey. The Rapid-Response Clean-Up team helps address safety and nuisance issues which helps free up the Community Resource Unit's resources, allowing them to focus more attention on law-enforcement-related duties.



 Community Workgroup on Homelessness

In July 2020, following an open application process, the City Council appointed a diverse group of Lacey community members to serve on the Community Workgroup on Homelessness. The workgroup’s 12-month, community-driven process will explore the experience of people facing homelessness in the community, examine current approaches, discuss issues, gauge community understanding and support for potential goals and strategies, and develop recommendations to the City Council. more »



 Subject-Matter Expert Speaker Series Webinars

Due to the pandemic and limits on in-person gatherings, a webinar speaker series was created to support the Community Workgroup on Homelessness' efforts to gather information and learn about the issues surrounding homelessness. The webinars are also available to community members. more »



 Affordable Housing Strategy

According to the Washington State Department of Commerce, a lack of affordable housing is the primary driver of homelessness. To address this challenge, the City of Lacey developed the Housing Element of the 2016 Comprehensive Plan which includes the City of Lacey Affordable Housing Strategy. more »



 Regional Housing Council

In late February 2021, the City of Lacey, along with the cities of Olympia, Tumwater, and Yelm, and Thurston County finalized an interlocal agreement enabling local leaders to work together on providing solutions to the regional housing crisis. The Lacey City Council participates in the Regional Housing Council (RHC) with representatives from the other jurisdictional partners. The RHC leverages resources and partnerships through policies and projects that promote 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 help implement the five-year Homeless Crisis Response Plan and increase affordable housing options. 



 Lacey Veterans Services Hub

In 2016, the Lacey City Council established the Lacey Veterans Services Hub to provide a single location for our region’s 32,000 Veterans to get support for mental health services, housing, employment, education, and financial support. The facility now includes 51 non-profit service providers. Last year alone, the Lacey Veterans Services Hub booked more than 900 housing assistance appointments. more »



 Lacey Food Bank Project
In partnership with the Thurston County Food Bank, the Lacey City Council helped secure approximately $1 million in state and federal funding to construct the new Lacey Food Bank. The 3-phase project, located at 7027 Martin Way East, includes a Victory Garden, Farm Stand, and Food Pantry. Now in its final phase, the new site will provide a resource for individuals and families who must choose between paying bills (i.e. housing) or buying groceries and is a critical part of preventing homelessness.


Habitat for Humanity
The Lacey City Council passed an ordinance to waive building permit fees for Habitat for Humanity to build affordable housing. This waiver helped the organization build a 33-unit, affordable-housing development on 37th Avenue SE.
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Community Development Block Grants
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are available as a result of the Thurston County CDBG Urban County partnership between the Cities of Lacey, Tumwater, Tenino and Yelm, the towns of Rainier and Bucoda and Thurston County. more »

Prevention and Assistance
Since March 2020, the Lacey City Council has taken several steps to quickly help residents in need, reduce the burdens of the pandemic on our community, and slow the increase in homelessness. more »