The City of Olympia on Friday, May 8, formally announced that a regional effort to begin closing “The Jungle” homeless encampment is underway.
Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne first announced the city’s intent to eventually close The Jungle during a Thurston County Chamber State of the Community address on Jan. 14.
City staff later clarified that they don’t anticipate closing the encampment this year, and would soon begin collaborating with local partners on a phased, regional plan to address The Jungle.
“The shared goal is to close the site safely and compassionately, in a way that supports both encampment residents and the broader community,” the City of Olympia states of the transition plan on its website.
The City of Olympia confirmed Friday that it has started working with the City of Lacey and Thurston County, as well as stakeholders representing Olympia, Lacey, Thurston County, Intercity Transit, local homeless response and behavioral health systems.
“The group is meeting regularly to coordinate next steps, including near-term mitigation and longer-term transition planning,” the City of Olympia said in a news release.
That work includes outreach and engagement at the site, coordination with service providers, and efforts to connect people with shelter, housing, treatment and other support as resources become available, the city said.
City staff are on site several times each week, and service providers continue to offer food, water, clothing, sanitation services, and other basic assistance, according to the news release.
“This is a regional issue that requires a regional response,” City of Olympia City Manager Jay Burney said. “I’m grateful for our partners coming together to support this work. Our shared goal is to reduce harm, improve safety and sanitation, and support people living at the site as they transition to safer shelter and housing options over time.”
The Jungle, located on about 20 acres between Martin Way and Pacific Avenue, has been active for about 10 years.
Olympia has closed more than 14 encampments in recent years and is now addressing its last remaining long-term encampment, the city said in a news release.
In October, the City of Olympia completed a 16-month closure of the Percival Creek Canyon homeless encampment as part of the city’s “One Community” plan, which implements a housing-first approach. Closing The Jungle is part of that same plan.
“The region’s emergency housing system remains under significant strain. Olympia’s approach to encampment closures prioritizes helping people move into shelter or housing rather than displacing them without options,” the City of Olympia said in a news release.
Many of Percival Creek Canyon’s residents were transitioned into housing ahead of the camp’s closure, but homeless advocates say some got lost in the shuffle, possibly ending up at The Jungle.
Some former residents of other homeless camps that Olympia closed in recent years have also ended up at The Jungle, according to homeless advocates.
Burney previously said that closing The Jungle could take 18 months to two years.
“While we do not yet have a specific timeline to share, this work is a priority for all partners involved,” the City of Olympia states on its website. “We remain committed to collaboration, shared accountability, and long-term solutions, and we will continue to keep the community informed as this effort progresses.”
Additional information on the plans to address The Jungle, including frequently asked questions and ongoing updates, is available on the City of Olympia website at olympiawa.gov/jungle
