LIHI Announces Purchase of Days Inn in Lacey

8200 Quinault Drive NE, Lacey

LACEY, WA – The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) has officially purchased the Days Inn located at 8200 Quinault Drive NE in Lacey, WA. This 118-unit hotel will be used as an enhanced shelter to serve 120 people experiencing homelessness in Thurston County. This includes singles, couples, and people with pets. The Days Inn includes community meeting space, a resource center, and offices for operations, security and case management services.

The Days Inn enhanced shelter is a partnership with LIHI, the Washington State Department of Commerce, WSDOT, Thurston County, and the City of Lacey. Funding for the purchase came from the state's Right-of-Way (ROW) program initiated by Governor Inslee and the state legislature. "With purchase of the Days Inn in Lacey we have a unique opportunity to quickly house unsheltered homeless people living along I-5 and other state highways. Too many people are living in dangerous locations in tents along freeways and on and off-ramps. We thank Gov. Inslee for his leadership in addressing a critical humanitarian crisis," said LIHI Executive Director Sharon Lee. “We're excited to see LIHI's acquisition of 8200 Quinault move forward as it will result in a substantial increase in emergency housing capacity in our community and will ultimately lead to the creation of more permanent supportive housing units, which supports the Regional Housing Council's PSH Strategic Framework. We know LIHI brings a wealth of experience operating similar projects across the State and we're confident this will be a positive asset to the community for years to come,” said Tom Webster, Office of Housing & Homeless Prevention Program Manager with Thurston County. LIHI will operate the property as a 24/7 enhanced shelter for homeless people camping along the state rights-of-way. Staff will be on-site 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Onsite LIHI case managers will help clients obtain permanent housing, employment, health care, and other services. Referrals will come from WSDOT, the City of Lacey and local service agencies. Each hotel room includes a bed, living space, bathroom, microwave and refrigerator.