Lacey City Council and Regional Housing Council member Carolyn Cox announced that the former Days Inn motel is set to welcome additional residents on June 19.
Cox shared that the next round of occupants of the shelter would be people from homeless encampments along I-5, particularly Sleater-Kinney Road.
"This is going to be an evolving project because they're going to be remodeling some floors, but they've got one ready to go," said Cox.
During the same meeting, a resident appealed to the council members about safety concerns on the homeless encampment near the Hobby Lobby store. The resident said his girlfriend had been assaulted twice in the area and was attacked with a screwdriver by a person she caught stealing.
Mayor Andy Ryder said the council has received many emails with the same concern, clarifying that the area is under the Washington Department of Transportation property and is in Olympia.
Ryder clarified that they are in constant contact with the City of Olympia to address the issue.
"I say it's all of our problems because we're all the ones that are dealing with this," Ryder added.
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Honestyandrealityguy
You can't give enough free stuff to some. They need training. Maybe like the 60's, put those in certain age groups in the military. If we do not look for solutions, the problem will get worse.
Friday, June 2, 2023 Report this
AugieH
I'm sure the surrounding businesses are just thrilled, especially the Big Lots directly across the street and the nearby Walmart.
Friday, June 2, 2023 Report this
olyhiker
What is being done to keep it from becoming a meth factory. Lots of taxpayer $ went into cleaning the last motel.
Saturday, June 3, 2023 Report this
WA_Mojo
Carolyn Cox is a bloated disgrace.
Saturday, June 3, 2023 Report this
HappyOlympian
I work with many of these folks daily. There is little that can be done for most, they are casualties of life that cannot see beyond the most expedient of needs. Extreme drug use is rampant and dominates all that they do; they will be unable to find and keep employment which is the key to paying for permanent housing. Tragically, it is very hard to see how all this effort will benefit anyone.
Sunday, June 4, 2023 Report this
JW
A true long-term solution, albeit an unpalatable one to many, is forced incarceration in secure treatment/mental facilities for the vast majority of these people isolated away from the rest of society that they prey on with their assaults, drug abuse, and theft/robbery.
These laughable "solutions" do nothing but shift the criminal transient population from one site to another like a flock of locusts all the while enriching the non-profits.
Sunday, June 4, 2023 Report this
AugieH
JW, exactly right! Too bad it'll never happen. Forced incarceration? Who could possibly object to that?
Sunday, June 4, 2023 Report this
52237123abc
Why not convert Maple Lane? So many possibilities there
Tuesday, June 6, 2023 Report this
BradPax
Change the sign to DAZE INN. There had better be restrictions and expectations in exchange for this free housing or the area will suffer greatly. Color me skeptical but I hope for the best.
Thursday, June 8, 2023 Report this