S.H.A.R.E. Accelerator

Share S.H.A.R.E. Accelerator on Facebook Share S.H.A.R.E. Accelerator on Twitter Share S.H.A.R.E. Accelerator on Linkedin Email S.H.A.R.E. Accelerator link

Consultation has concluded

What’s Happening?

The Safe Housing and Rental Efficiency (SHARE) Accelerator is an upcoming City of Olympia program, developed through a partnership with Olympia Community Solar (OCS), that aims to connect owners of affordable rental housing within city limits to funding, information, and resources that will streamline energy efficiency as well as health and safety retrofits for their properties. This program will be completely voluntary.

Learn more under the "Program information" tab below.

City staff and OCS are currently designing the program with a goal of launching a pilot for twenty rental units in late 2025.

The SHARE Accelerator team has drafted a list of proposed rental unit improvements required to participate in the program, informed by a local building stock analysis and a health and safety gap assessment. We want to hear from tenants on your priorities for rental housing improvements, as well as general program design.

Tell us what you think!

The S.H.A.R.E. Accelerator survey closed Tuesday, February 11. If you would like to provide additional feedback about the proposed scope of upgrades linked above, please email Dominic Jones at djones@ci.olympia.wa.us.


What’s Happening?

The Safe Housing and Rental Efficiency (SHARE) Accelerator is an upcoming City of Olympia program, developed through a partnership with Olympia Community Solar (OCS), that aims to connect owners of affordable rental housing within city limits to funding, information, and resources that will streamline energy efficiency as well as health and safety retrofits for their properties. This program will be completely voluntary.

Learn more under the "Program information" tab below.

City staff and OCS are currently designing the program with a goal of launching a pilot for twenty rental units in late 2025.

The SHARE Accelerator team has drafted a list of proposed rental unit improvements required to participate in the program, informed by a local building stock analysis and a health and safety gap assessment. We want to hear from tenants on your priorities for rental housing improvements, as well as general program design.

Tell us what you think!

The S.H.A.R.E. Accelerator survey closed Tuesday, February 11. If you would like to provide additional feedback about the proposed scope of upgrades linked above, please email Dominic Jones at djones@ci.olympia.wa.us.


Consultation has concluded

  • What is the S.H.A.R.E. Accelerator program?

    Share What is the S.H.A.R.E. Accelerator program? on Facebook Share What is the S.H.A.R.E. Accelerator program? on Twitter Share What is the S.H.A.R.E. Accelerator program? on Linkedin Email What is the S.H.A.R.E. Accelerator program? link

    The SHARE Accelerator will provide streamlined technical support and guidance for energy efficiency retrofits in affordable rental housing within the City of Olympia. Program goals include:

    • Improving the quality and energy efficiency of Olympia’s existing rental housing stock

    • Streamlining compliance with Olympia’s Rental Registry and Inspection Program – this includes the rental housing inspections focused on health and safety beginning in 2025, as well as the potential future requirement for energy efficiency standards

    • Maintaining housing affordability and reducing energy burdens for renters

    The SHARE Accelerator will provide streamlined technical support and guidance for energy efficiency retrofits in affordable rental housing within the City of Olympia. Program goals include:

    • Improving the quality and energy efficiency of Olympia’s existing rental housing stock

    • Streamlining compliance with Olympia’s Rental Registry and Inspection Program – this includes the rental housing inspections focused on health and safety beginning in 2025, as well as the potential future requirement for energy efficiency standards

    • Maintaining housing affordability and reducing energy burdens for renters

    Consultation has concluded

  • Who qualifies?

    Share Who qualifies? on Facebook Share Who qualifies? on Twitter Share Who qualifies? on Linkedin Email Who qualifies? link

    This program is available to owners of single family or multifamily rental properties registered with the City of Olympia’s Rental Registry who would like to participate. Properties must be located within Olympia city limits and charge affordable rents. Affordable rents for this program are defined as follows:

    • Subsidized affordable housing, such as Project-Based Section 8 housing, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties, and housing projects with local Home Fund or statewide Housing Trust Fund investment.

    • Naturally occurring (i.e., non-subsidized) rental housing that is affordable for households at 80% of the area median income (AMI).

    This program is available to owners of single family or multifamily rental properties registered with the City of Olympia’s Rental Registry who would like to participate. Properties must be located within Olympia city limits and charge affordable rents. Affordable rents for this program are defined as follows:

    • Subsidized affordable housing, such as Project-Based Section 8 housing, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties, and housing projects with local Home Fund or statewide Housing Trust Fund investment.

    • Naturally occurring (i.e., non-subsidized) rental housing that is affordable for households at 80% of the area median income (AMI).

    • Rental housing that is occupied by low-income households, defined as 80% of AMI, including multifamily buildings where greater than 50% of the households earn 80% or less of AMI.

    As a requirement to receive funding and assistance from the SHARE Accelerator program, building owners must enter a contract with the City of Olympia, that includes an affordability covenant to ensure rental pricing is maintained for a set period of time and upgrade costs aren’t being passed on to tenants. Building owners will also be required to report regularly on the status of building upgrades and tenant satisfaction.

    Consultation has concluded

  • Why are we doing this?

    Share Why are we doing this? on Facebook Share Why are we doing this? on Twitter Share Why are we doing this? on Linkedin Email Why are we doing this? link

    In February 2021, Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Thurston County accepted the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (TCMP) as the regional framework to substantially reduce local contributions to climate change. The TCMP identifies reducing energy use in existing residential buildings (Strategy B1) and converting to cleaner fuel sources (Strategy B6) as key strategies for local action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    Additionally, in Fall 2022, the City conducted a fair housing survey to better understand local housing conditions and discrimination. Of the 600+ total respondents, approximately 300 were renters and 80 were Housing Choice Voucher participants. The top

    In February 2021, Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Thurston County accepted the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (TCMP) as the regional framework to substantially reduce local contributions to climate change. The TCMP identifies reducing energy use in existing residential buildings (Strategy B1) and converting to cleaner fuel sources (Strategy B6) as key strategies for local action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    Additionally, in Fall 2022, the City conducted a fair housing survey to better understand local housing conditions and discrimination. Of the 600+ total respondents, approximately 300 were renters and 80 were Housing Choice Voucher participants. The top three environmental health concerns by renters were high heating costs or insufficient heat, high cooling costs, or insufficient cooling, and mold.

    Implementation of the SHARE Accelerator supports the City’s housing and climate goals, both of which have been noted as top community priorities. Providing guidance and incentives for energy efficiency, building electrification, and renewable energy is a crucial step in achieving building decarbonization retrofits, improving the quality of local housing stock, and reducing energy burdens for renters.

    Consultation has concluded

  • How does this program support landlords?

    Share How does this program support landlords? on Facebook Share How does this program support landlords? on Twitter Share How does this program support landlords? on Linkedin Email How does this program support landlords? link

    Eligible landlords will receive guidance and resources to complete comprehensive upgrades to their rental properties. These upgrades will not only increase their property’s value but will also help streamline compliance with the City’s rental housing policies.

    Eligible landlords will receive guidance and resources to complete comprehensive upgrades to their rental properties. These upgrades will not only increase their property’s value but will also help streamline compliance with the City’s rental housing policies.

    Consultation has concluded

  • How does this program support tenants?

    Share How does this program support tenants? on Facebook Share How does this program support tenants? on Twitter Share How does this program support tenants? on Linkedin Email How does this program support tenants? link

    The upgrades completed under this program will improve safety, efficiency, and overall comfort of participating rental homes. Improved energy efficiency will lower energy bills, which tenants are typically financially responsible for. This program will also help maintain rental affordability due to participating landlords signing an affordability covenant with the City to keep rents affordable over a set period of time.

    The upgrades completed under this program will improve safety, efficiency, and overall comfort of participating rental homes. Improved energy efficiency will lower energy bills, which tenants are typically financially responsible for. This program will also help maintain rental affordability due to participating landlords signing an affordability covenant with the City to keep rents affordable over a set period of time.

    Consultation has concluded