HomeMy WebLinkAboutLETTER OF SUPPORT Olympic Neighbors JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Mark McCauley, County Administrator
FROM: Heidi Eisenhour, Commissioner
DATE: August 21, 2023
SUBJECT: Letter of support to Commerce for Olympic Neighbors
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Olympic Neighbors has been in operation for five years and is the only organization developing
supportive housing specifically for this population in our county at this time. Their services remain full
with a waitlist. Their clients benefit greatly from their inclusive services and are integrated in a
meaningful way and seen as valuable, contributing members of the local community. They are
pursuing this grant to meet some of the unmet demand.
ANALYSIS:
Funding for Olympic Neighbors' Group Home will result in affordable and supportive housing for 6
extremely low-income adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in Jefferson
County. ON will also provide 24-hour staff support to the clients who will live in the house.
This project aligns with the County's commitment to affordable housing and homeless housing
programs. According to the US Census Bureau the Area Median Income for Jefferson County is
$59,968. Olympic Neighbors' clients earn under$13,000 per year, putting them in an extremely cost
burdened category for housing. Olympic Neighbors' clients also require some level of staff support to
live in the community.
By creating affordable and supportive housing for people with IDD we can ensure that our
community is one of inclusion and diversity.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Send letter
REVIE ED BY:
Mark McCau $ County Administrator Da
August 21, 2023
Housing Trust Fund
Department of Commerce
P.O. Box 42525
Olympia, WA 98504-2525
Re: Support for Olympic Neighbors – Jefferson County
Dear Sir/Madam:
Please accept this letter of support for Olympic Neighbors application for funding Olympic
Neighbors’ Group Home, a project that will result in affordable and supportive housing for 6
extremely low-income adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in Jefferson
County. Olympic Neighbors will also provide 24-hour staff support to the clients who will live in
the house.
This project aligns with the County’s commitment to affordable housing and homeless housing
programs. According to the US Census Bureau the Area Median Income for Jefferson County is
$59,968. Olympic Neighbors’ clients earn under $13,000 per year, putting them in an extremely
cost burdened category for housing. Olympic Neighbors’ clients also require some level of staff
support to live in the community. By creating affordable and supportive housing for people with
IDD we can ensure that our community is one of inclusion and diversity.
Olympic Neighbors has been in operation for five years and is the only organization developing
supportive housing specifically for this population in our county at this time. Their services
remain full with a waitlist. Their clients benefit greatly from their inclusive services and are
integrated in a meaningful way and seen as valuable, contributing members of the local
community.
We urge you to fund Olympic Neighbors’ application and to help ensure that people with IDD
can thrive in their communities. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
BOARD OF JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Kate Dean, Chair Greg Brotherton Heidi Eisenhour
District 1 District 3 District 2