Housing
We believe everyone should have a safe, affordable place to live and call home. We believe all families deserve to be warm, healthy, and housed.
We believe everyone should have a safe, affordable place to live and call home. We believe all families deserve to be warm, healthy, and housed.
In order to improve the quality of life in our community, we continue to play a key role as a provider of Affordable Housing in our service area. Working with multiple jurisdictions, we strive to increase the number of affordable housing opportunities in our community. In the past years we have housed over 692 people in 375 units.
About The Program
As a whole, we continuously strive to assist as many people as we can. Through the Affordable housing program, the Community Action Council served approximately 700 individuals in the past three years. In addition to this, over 275 people were helped with rental assistance funds. With the addition of our Salmon Run property, which we opened in November of 2012, we have 382 housing units available for rent.
Partnerships
The Council works in partnership with local jurisdictions and communities in the development of rental assistance programs, including:
The Council also works in partnership with the State of Washington, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), private developers, and all local jurisdictions where funding is available to further develop and rehabilitate affordable housing.
Community Action Council Properties
Property | Location | Contact Information |
Ashford House I & II | Belfair | Steve & Loretta Hills – (360) 275-1400 |
Deschutes Cove | Olympia | Tona Miller – (360) 753-5813 |
Diamond Street | Lacey | |
Killion Court | Yelm | Leslie Norris – (360) 458-2661 |
Montesano Harbor | Elma | Barbara Courneya – (360) 249-5103 |
Montesano Harbor Annex | Elma | Barbara Courneya – (360) 249-5103 |
Praire Run | Yelm | Richard Gleason – (360) 400-0567 |
Saratoga Springs | Shelton | Sherri Collins – (360) 427-7033 |
Tilton River | Morton | Kacy Reed – (360) 496-1971 |
Tolmie Cove | Olympia | Glenda Crawford – (360) 491-7907 |
Virginia Station | Centralia | Mandy Page – (360) 736-7864 |
Coordinated Entry is the process by which people experiencing homelessness are given access to housing and assistance based on their level of need and resources available. The Coordinated Entry system reduces the number of people entering into homelessness by offering prevention and diversion resources, and our Coordinated Entry Specialist matches single individuals to appropriate programs and resources as space becomes available.
Eligibility:
You may schedule an appointment by calling our Coordinated Entry Hotline 1-844-628-7343 or by e-mailing us at CE@CACLMT.org. Our hours of operation are M-Thurs 8:00A to 5:30P, and Friday from 8:00A to 12:00P.
Language spoken in house and/or language line availability.
Our Energy Assistance program believes in providing equitable, confidential, and reliable energy assistance services to low-income families and individuals. Through the federally funded LIHEAP program, we provided energy assistance to over 4,391 households. We distributed over $2 million to help residents cover their gas, electricity, oil, wood, or propane bills.
About the Program
LIHEAP, a federally funded program, assists residents with their gas, electricity, oil, wood, and propane costs
Puget Sound Energy HELP provides assistance with the cost of natural gas and electricity consumption to qualified PSE customers—with an account in their name or in the name of a member of the household
The program begins in the fall and continues until all funds are committed. Due to limited funding, we are unable to serve everyone who is in need of these services, so do not hesitate to call if you believe you may be eligible. See eligibility requirements below.
Program Updates
The new 2021-2022 season begins soon!
We will be scheduling Energy Assistance appointments for Thurston County residents on Friday, September 24th, 2021, for Lewis County residents on Monday, September 27th, and for Mason County residents on Tuesday, September 28th.
Phone lines will open at 7:00am and the online scheduler will open at 9:00am on each county’s respective opening day. To schedule an appointment by phone in Thurston County, please call (360) 438-1100. To schedule an appointment by phone in Lewis County, please call (360) 736-1800. To schedule an appointment in Mason County, please call (360) 426-9726.
When calling to make your appointment, please have a pen and paper, your electric and/or natural gas account number, the household’s mailing address, and the gross household income for three previous months.
Please be patient when calling to make an appointment. Our team will answer the phones as fast as possible, but there are thousands of folks who are in need of assistance and they will all be calling at the same time.
Lewis, Mason, and Thurston County are scheduling normal Energy Assistance appointments. Emergency appointments may be available for those without heat of any kind but certain restrictions do apply. To schedule an appointment, please use our online scheduler, or dial (360) 438-1100 and speak with an Energy Assistance staff member.
If you are without heat of any kind, please call our agency to see if there are available emergency appointments.
Eligibility
Those who are low-income and need assistance paying their energy bill are eligible to receive this service.
To further determine eligibility we look at:
See below if your household may be income eligible for heating assistance through the LIHEAP programs or income eligible for assistance through the PSE-HELP program.
Making An Appointment
Our policy is to make appointments over the phone or through our website scheduler. To be fair in applying, we do not accept requests for appointments by email, voicemail, or fax. Due to the high volume of people in need trying to access these services, it is imperative to process all applicants fairly and equally. Please remember appointments are made on a first come, first served basis.
+ Note that our phone lines become extremely busy when we first start scheduling appointments due to the large volume of people calling in. The phone lines are consistently in use during this process.
We strongly encourage people not to give up calling if there is a busy signal; eventually, you can get through.
To schedule an appointment, please call on one of our opening dates and have the following ready:
What Do I Need to Bring to My Appointment
NOTE: due to the pandemic, all applications are being handled via mail, and we are not conducting any in-office appointments. Please call 360.438.1100 if you have further questions.
![]() |
We cannot use previously submitted documentation to qualify clients for a benefit, including Social Security cards and drivers licenses. Please bring all required documentation at the time of your appointment. |
* Anyone with zero ‘0’ income and who is 18 or older is required to complete paperwork explaining how he/she paid for food, shelter, and heat at the time of appointment
** If you are a student, your Financial Aid award letter is required.
To date (September 2020 through February 2022), our agency has been able to help the Thurston County community with rental assistance amounting to:
13,762 Individuals, for $31,230,963.17.
Because of Thurston County’s decision to suspend all Treasury Rental Assistance Program (T-RAP) contracts with CAC, our staff are unable to provide services or offer communication to clients on behalf of this program. We are deeply saddened at the harm done to our community members by this decision, and we are working toward a time when we can assist clients again in the future with T-RAP. Please contact Elisa at Elisa.Sparkman@co.thurston.wa.us or (360) 490-7648 with questions or requests for rental assistance.
NEW! PDF: Formal Response to TCPHSS grievance (04/14/2022)
PDF: Monitoring Fact Sheet (03/08/22)
PDF: Update (03/14/22)
PDF: Update (03/09/22)
PDF: “To our valued community…” (03/04/22)
PDF: T-RAP Update (02/28/22)
PDF: Formal Public Response to T-RAP Contract suspension (02/24/22)
PDF: ERA Monitoring Letter (02/24/22)
PDF: T-RAP Monitoring Response (02/24/22)
Foundational Community Supports is a program that includes Supportive Housing and Supportive Employment. Targeted Medicaid benefits are used to help eligible clients with complex health needs obtain and maintain housing and employment stability.
About the Program
Supportive housing services are ongoing supports to help eligible Medicaid clients find and keep stable, independent housing. Services include:
Supportive employment services are assistance for those who are eligible to obtain and keep a job. Services includes:
FCS is not:
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for Supportive Housing services, individuals must be Medicaid-eligible, complete a needs assessment and fall into at least one of the groups described below.
In order to be eligible for Supportive Employment services, individuals must be Medicaid-eligible, complete a needs assessment and fall into at least one of the groups described below.
How to Make an Appointment
Our policy is to make appointments over the phone. Please call your respective county office to make an appointment with a Foundational Community Supports Case Manager.
LEWIS: 360-736-1800
MASON: 360-426-9726
THURSTON: 360-438-1100
What to bring to the Appointment
Please bring your Medicaid insurance card and your Photo ID with you to your appointment.
The purpose of the Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) program is to prevent the homelessness of and to rehouse unemployable adults and assist them with basic essential needs such as utility payments, personal hygiene products, and transportation. Last year a monthly average of 317 individuals who were either homeless, or at risk of being homeless received assistance.
Housing and Essential Needs (HEN)
Grant funds may provide eligible participants with rent, utility and transportation assistance as well as hygiene and cleaning supplies.
To qualify, the applicant must have an incapacity, (physical and/or mental) AND have zero income.
Qualifications for the HEN program is determined by DSHS (Department of Social and Health Services.) Qualifying applicants will then be referred to the Community Action Council for services to help stabilize housing related needs.
For more information about eligibility and services, please visit their website.
Support for COVID-19 in Lewis & Mason counties is provided by CDBG COVID-19 Subsistence Payments.
Purpose: To serve Lewis and Mason counties and benefit low- and moderate-income persons at or below 80% of the county median income.
Eligible Activities: Funds can be used for rent, mortgage, or utility payments.
Who can receive CDBG Subsistence Payments?
CDBG Subsistence Payments
For further questions please contact Saveth at (360) 438-1100 Ext. 1138, or Ester at (360) 426-9726 Ext. 3100.
Rapid Re-Housing provides short-term rental assistance and services. The goals are to help people obtain housing rapidly, increase self- sufficiency, and stay housed. It is offered without requirements (such as employment, income, absence of criminal record, or sobriety) and the resources and services provided are typically personalized to the needs of the person.
Eligibility:
Client must access Coordinated Entry and complete an intake to be placed on the Master List for Rapid-Re-Housing
To make an appointment please contact the CE Hotline @ 1-844-628-7343.
Thurston Flood Emergency Relief Fund – is a partnership between Community Action Council and the United Way of Thurston County to provide emergency support to residents impacted by the recent flooding in Thurston County. United Way has granted funding to help cover basic needs including food, clothing, and necessary household and hygiene items that may have been damaged by the flooding.
Each Household is encouraged to contact CACLMT to determine eligibility. You will be asked to provide proof of residency and asked questions regarding water damage/intrusion. You may request assistance by calling (360)438-1100 ext 1161.
Eligibility:
Utility Assistance provides help with water bills and other utilities via Fuel Funds. If your need is for assistance with a power bill, please be certain to check with our Energy Assistance program, too.
The City of Olympia’s Helping Neighbors program is a partnership between Community Action Council (CAC) and the City of Olympia to help residents pay City utility services. Qualified customers can receive $75, twice per calendar year. Funds are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Eligibility:
1. City of Olympia resident and utility customer.
2. You received a past due notice on your utility bill from the City of Olympia.
3. Visit the City of Olympia’s website to see if you meet the income limits, based on household size.
4. If you meet items 1-3 above, call the CAC at (360) 438-1100 to schedule an appointment. CAC will determine your eligibility and help you apply for the City’s Helping Neighbors program. All appointments are over the phone as the CAC offices are closed to the public at this time.
The goal of our Weatherization Program is to improve the quality of life for our clients by reducing their energy and budget burdens, allowing them to become more self-sufficient. Last year we improved the health and safety of more than 104 homes and provided basic services to an additional 71 homes.
Program Funding
The Weatherization Program delivered by the Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties receives its funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce. It includes federal funds from the Bonneville Power Association, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the state-funded Energy Match Makers Program. Additional funding comes through partnerships with local utilities, such as Puget Sound Energy (PSE), and other contributions so that these services may be delivered to you free of charge.
Affordable housing is defined as a home that takes no more than 30% of the household’s income for rent or mortgage and utilities. Many low-income families in Washington pay more than 25 % of their income for energy costs alone. Weatherization programs exist to help low-income households reduce home energy consumption while increasing the health, safety, comfort, and longevity of their homes.
Services We Provide
Weatherization is the application of energy efficiency measures to a home. These may include:
Each home is unique to what it needs. A trained energy assessor/inspector will visit your home to determine exactly what work your home may need. Measures are installed according to established technical specifications, cost effectiveness tests, and applicable building codes using CAC crews and specialty contractors.
*Note that general window replacement is not a priority measure and may not qualify under the free program.
Eligibility
Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties’ Weatherization Program is available to qualified families throughout Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties according to funding availability.
To qualify, the gross income received by all household members must be at or below 60% state or 200% of the current federally established poverty guidelines—whichever is greater. Income documentation and evaluation is required to determine actual eligibility. The homeowner will be required to sign all authorization forms if determined eligible for assistance.
Homes that are severely deteriorated and require extensive repairs may be ruled “beyond the scope of the program” and, therefore, ineligible for weatherization and minor home repair service.
United States Department of Agriculture: www.rd.usda.gov/
Housing Authority of Thurston County: www.hatc.org
*Information on how to become a weatherization contractor for CACLMT: Weatherization ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS 2020.
Please click here for more information regarding Grants supporting our Weatherization Program.
Income Guidelines
2020-21 Income Eligibility Guidelines | ||
Household Number | Avg. Monthly Income | Annual Income |
1 | $ 2,127 | $ 25,520 |
2 | $ 2,873 | $ 34,480 |
3 | $ 3,620 | $ 43,440 |
4 | $ 4,367 | $ 52,400 |
5 | $ 5,113 | $ 61,360 |
6 | $ 5,860 | $ 70,320 |
7 | $ 6,607 | $ 79,280 |
8 | $ 7,353 | $ 88,240 |
Further income documentation testing is required to determine actual eligibility. Guidelines are revised annually. If your household appears close to qualifying, please contact CAC at (360) 438-1100 to speak to a CAC representative.To qualify for weatherization services, the gross income received by all household members must be at or below 200% of the federally-established poverty guidelines or 60% of State median income. Priority will be given to the households with income at or below the 125% level.
Sub Contractor Job Opportunities
COVID-19 Protocols
As you may have read, the Governor has announced the new COVID “Washington Ready” plan, which states “All industry sectors previously covered by the Roadmap to Recovery or the Safe Start plan (with the limited exceptions) may return to usual capacity and operations”.
According to the Washington State COVID website, all Healthy Washington return to work documents are no longer in force. This includes the construction industry document which we based our original COVID work plans on, as well as work plan guides for other industries which you may have used to guide your work such as professional services, personal services, and real estate. These guides are still available and optional for use per the Washington Ready plan.
As of July 1, 2021, we are no longer requiring agencies follow their original COVID-19 Protection Protocols. Agencies can still use whatever COVID protocols they feel are needed in their region.
Agencies must continue to protect their employees. Accordingly, Labor and Industry (L&I) maintains jurisdiction over workplace safety and may engage in COVID-related investigations and enforcement actions to protect employees. Agencies must follow all L&I guidance including the following:
Multiple Locations
Voice: 360.438.1100
Fax: 360.491.7729
Toll Free: 800.878.5235