An Olympia motel will become permanent supportive housing by the summer. Here’s why

Interfaith Works has purchased a motel near the Capitol in Olympia and plans to convert it into permanent supportive housing later this year.

The non-profit purchased the Olympia Inn for about $2.7 million on March 20, Interim Executive Director Ivy Ayers told The Olympian. The 28-room building, historically known as the Golden Gavel, is located at 909 Capitol Way S.

“Creative solutions like this are really so important to address the lack of housing in our community,” Ayers said. “We’re really excited and really honored that we have this opportunity to step more into this.”

Ayers said the building will house people experiencing homelessness that have been identified through Washington state’s Encampment Resolution Program, formerly known as the Rights-of-Way Initiative. To that end, the state has agreed to fund the project up to $4.5 million, according to documents obtained by The Olympian.

If space is available, Ayers said the building also will house people who go through Thurston County’s coordinated entry system, which prioritizes people based on need.

Building improvements should be completed by June and leasing will begin in July, according to information on the Interfaith Works website.

How is this project being funded?

News about the purchase spread after Interfaith Works was named as one of nine Washington organizations that were awarded a $2 million grant by Yield Giving, a private organization funded by billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

However, Ayers clarified that Interfaith Works did not use that $2 million to buy the Olympia Inn. Instead, she said the non-profit will use those funds to support a number of smaller projects and ensure the organization as a whole remains sustainable for years to come.

“It’ll help us be flexible and responsive to the needs of the community,” Ayers said. “No shade on government funding at all, but sometimes government processes can be a bit slower.”

The state Department of Commerce gave Interfaith Works preliminary approval in January for a $4.5 million recoverable grant to buy and convert the Olympia Inn into permanent supportive housing, according to documents shared by Commerce. The parties signed the contract last month.

Ayers said the contract just covers the costs to get the project started. It does not cover the cost to provide ongoing supportive services. Those costs may be covered by future funding opportunities from the state or local government, she said.

Interfaith Works staff looked at a number of different options, but Ayers said they ultimately chose the Olympia Inn because they felt its size, condition and location met the needs of the people they serve.

“It’s close to bus lines and close to a grocery store nearby; there’s some other services in town that are semi-nearby,” Ayers said. “It checked a lot of boxes for us to be able to provide dignified housing for people.”

What changes will come to the Olympia Inn?

Ayers said the exterior of the building will be largely unchanged. One room will be converted into a community space with kitchen and laundry facilities, according to Ayers and the website. Another room will be used as a case management office, she said.

That leaves 26 apartments that should house at least an equivalent number of people, Ayers said.

The building will be staffed by a facilities manager, case managers and support staff to “maximize site presence and support for residents,” according to the website.

As a permanent supportive housing project, tenants will sign leases that include conduct expectations, according to the website. Ayers said staff are still determining what the leases will cost tenants.

Tenants also will be offered support services, Ayers said, such as help getting to medical appointments, tracking bills, enrolling in classes and connecting with other assistance programs.

“The intention is always to have non-coercive services that are just available for people that can help identify and offer real support for things that folks might struggle with,” Ayers said.

The public can learn about Interfaith Works’ plans for the Olympia Inn later this month, according to its website.

The non-profit intends to host a project meeting at 10 a.m. April 18 at the Social Hall of the United Churches of Olympia, located at 110 11th Ave. SE.