Kitsap County, Washington, is located in the central Puget Sound area just west of Seattle and includes the cities of Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Port Orchard, and Poulsbo. The county's population grew from 147,000 in 1980 to an estimated 210,000 in 1993, making it the region's fastest growing county.

Action Plan

The Kitsap County Consolidated Plan describes housing and community development needs in the county and outlines its 5-year strategic priorities. For the plan's first year, $2.1 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and $926,000 in HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds have been allocated. This funding will be used for activities that emphasize affordable housing in the low-income range, homeownership assistance, improved public facilities and services, and infrastructure improvements.

Citizen Participation

To encourage citizen participation in the development of the Consolidated Plan, Kitsap County held public meetings to hear citizens' views and met with nonprofit housing organizations and service agencies. Public notices were published in the local newspaper to inform people of the process and availability of resources. Technical assistance meetings regarding proposed projects were also held in the county's four major cities. Copies of the draft plan were available during the public comment period in November and December of 1994.

• Bremerton -- 36,380
.
• Port Orchard -- 5,610
• Poulsbo -- 5,350
• Bainbridge Island -- 17,200

The county's economy is dominated by three major U.S. Navy bases and two U.S. Navy support organizations. It is estimated that 35 percent of Kitsap County's personal income is dependent on the Department of Defense. The Base Closure Commission has not targeted any Kitsap County bases for closure, but curtailments in other States may place an additional 6,000 to 8,000 military and civilian personnel in Kitsap County in the upcoming years.

Approximately 44 percent of the county's employment is government related. However, the percentage of the population employed in higher-paying government jobs has dropped in recent years, while the number of lower-paying service and retail trade jobs has grown. Several "bedroom communities" have evolved in Kitsap County where residents live in the county but commute to work in the Seattle-King County metropolitan area across Puget Sound.

Kitsap County has a relatively young population. While 44 percent are under age 30, 15 percent are 65 years or older.

Only 8 percent of the county's population is a racial/ethnic minority. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders combined make up 3 percent of the population, African Americans and Hispanics make up 2 percent each of the population, and Native Americans account for 1 percent. The minority population is far more likely to have limited economic means. While 35 percent of Caucasian households are very low- or low-income (earning up to 80 percent of median family income [MFI]), 61 percent of African Americans, 55 percent of Native Americans, 49 percent of Hispanics, and 41 percent of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders fall into this category.

There are 69,488 households in Kitsap County. Income levels are determined in relation to MFI and are described as follows:

• Very low-income (earning 0-50 percent of MFI) -- 18 percent of all households. HUD-adjusted, median income for a family of three at this level does not exceed $11,250.
• Low-income (earning 51-80 percent of MFI) -- 18 percent of all households. HUD-adjusted median income for a family of three at this level does not exceed $18,750.
• Moderate-income (earning 81-95 percent of MFI) -- 10 percent of all households.

Housing Needs

The Kitsap County 1993 Housing Needs Assessment and Affordability Plan projects a 28 percent growth in households by the year 2000. In order to meet the needs of very low- and low-income households, 3,857 additional rental units and 3,220 additional homeowner units will be needed.

Market Conditions

There were 44,518 owner-occupied and 24,749 renter-occupied units in Kitsap County in 1990. The number of mobile homes has increased dramatically since 1980, making up more than 13 percent of all housing units. The vacancy rate is 1 percent for housing units for sale and 4.4 percent for rental units. Vacancy rates are strongly influenced by the flux of ships and their crews at the Bremerton shipyard. This is particularly true in the western portion of Bremerton where the vacancy rate dropped from 14 percent in March 1994 to 3 percent in September 1994.

Rents have increased sharply over the past several years. The rental cost range in 1994 by housing unit size was:

• Studio -- $315 to $390 per month.
• One bedroom -- $432 to $458 per month.
• Two bedroom -- $500 to $622 per month.
• Three bedroom -- $678 to $800 per month.

Affordable Housing Needs

Incomes have not kept pace with housing costs in Kitsap County. During the 1980s the average price for a single-family home increased 5.2 percent annually, while median household incomes rose 3.9 percent annually. Rents increased an average of 7.66 percent in 1990, 7.69 percent in 1991, and 5.33 percent in 1992.

Over 70 percent of extremely low-income households (earning 0-30 percent of MFI) are cost burdened (paying more than 30 percent of income on housing costs). Over half of this population is considered extremely cost burdened and pays more than 50 percent of income on housing costs. One-fourth of large renter families are overcrowded.

Cost burdens ease slightly for very low-income households. While over 60 percent of owners and renters are cost burdened, about 20 percent have extreme costs burdens.

Very few of low-income households have extreme cost burdens, but about one-third are cost burdened. Elderly renters at this level are most often cost burdened.

Homeless Needs

A total of 1,131 persons received shelter in the county's homeless facilities between July 1993 and July 1994. There are currently 100 emergency shelter beds in Kitsap County facilities for the homeless, but the county estimates an additional 160 beds are necessary to adequately serve the needs of the homeless. Emergency shelters for adults and families are operated by four agencies:

• The Kitsap Community Action Program (KCAP) operates a shelter with 11 beds for single men in Bremerton. KCAP also houses nine homeless families in units leased from the Bremerton Housing Authority. Families staying in KCAP housing are allowed to stay for up to 60 days with negotiated extensions and are provided with comprehensive case management services.
• The Kitsap County YWCA ALIVE Shelter serves women fleeing domestic violence and their children. The shelter has a total of 17 beds and allows stays of up to 2 weeks.
• The Society of St. Vincent de Paul operates a shelter for single women. The shelter has eight beds.
• The South Kitsap Helpline owns and operates the Alameda Family Emergency Shelter, a 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom house for homeless families.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

There are 730 public housing units in Kitsap County. They are administered by the Bremerton Housing Authority, which has 604 units, and the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority, which has 126 units. The two housing authorities also administer a total of 1,167 Section 8 certificates and vouchers. There are 3,800 households on a housing assistance waiting list. While the county plans to increase its stock of public housing, the demand for public housing is expected to continue exceeding the available supply.

Other subsidized housing units include: 491 units of privately owned Section 8 new construction units, 480 units of Farmers Home Administration Section 515 rental communities, and 587 units subsidized through other programs, primarily revenue bonds.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

Developers have difficulty obtaining permanent financing for multifamily communities in Kitsap County because of the large percentage of Navy-dependent renter households. Fannie Mae uses much more stringent underwriting criteria where tenancy is more than 40 percent military.

Each jurisdiction within Kitsap County has numerous land use and zoning designations for housing, commercial, open space, and other land uses. These plans and ordinances were developed independently of each other, creating a patchwork of land use regulations that hamper construction of affordable housing units. Each of the jurisdictions and the county are establishing a framework coordinated by the Kitsap Regional Planning Council under the State Growth Management Act adopted in 1990. The county plans to develop common terms and definitions for all of its zoning regulations.

Lead-Based Paint

It is estimated that 6,845 renter households and 4,448 owner households live in homes that have potential lead-based paint hazards. The following actions will be undertaken by the county over the next 5 years to integrate lead-based paint hazard reduction into housing policies and programs:

• Organize a task force to assess the available needs and resources to reduce lead-based paint hazards.
• Provide technical assistance for programs to educate residents on health dangers of lead and to encourage testing of children for elevated blood-lead levels.
• Continue to notify the public that lead-based paint hazard reduction activities are included under current housing rehabilitation programs.

Other Issues

Kitsap County also has needs for housing and supportive services for elderly and frail elderly persons, persons with disabilities, alcohol and drug-addicted persons, and persons with HIV/AIDS. For the frail elderly, the current need for elderly congregate care facilities is estimated at 500 units. About 66 beds are needed for mentally ill persons. About 588 developmentally disabled persons are waiting for assistance through public housing or Section 8 rental assistance. A 10-bed recovery house is needed for persons in treatment for substance abuse, and a 4- to 6-bed hospice is needed for AIDS patients.

Community Development Needs

Nonhousing community development needs include public facilities and services, infrastructure improvements, and economic development. Priority needs and their projected costs over 5 years include:

• Improving senior and youth centers. Estimated cost: $6 million.
• Water and sewer improvements. Estimated cost: $5 million.
• Street and sidewalk improvements. Estimated cost: $3.5 million.
• Rehabilitating commercial and industrial facilities. Estimated cost: $20 million.

Housing and Community Development Objectives and Priorities

In developing priorities for the consolidated plan, Kitsap County will give priority to projects that:

• Preserve the existing housing stock available to low- and very low-income homeowner and renter households by rehabilitation and weatherization.
• Increase homeownership opportunities for low- and very-low income persons by providing assistance with acquisition and rehabilitation costs.
• Develop housing opportunities for persons with disabilities and persons with special needs.
• Leverage private and public funds to develop new housing and programs that reduce the cost burden to low- and very low-income renters.
• Improve and expand human services programs, particularly for serving the homeless.
• Improve public facilities and infrastructure, including water and sewer improvements, street and sidewalk repair, and improving parks and recreational facilities.

Housing Priorities

The Consolidated Plan lists long-term housing priorities and estimated financial costs. Housing needs that rate as high priority include:

• Developing additional supportive housing units for the homeless. Estimated cost: $11 million.
• Improving the housing stock available to lower income elderly renters. Estimated cost: $11.8 million.
• Making necessary repairs and improvements to owner-occupied homes with physical defects. There are approximately 4,300 such units in Kitsap County. Estimated cost: $38.6 million.

Nonhousing Community Development Priorities

The county will continue to provide CDBG funds for community facilities such as senior centers, community centers, day care centers, shelters for domestic violence victims, and drug/alcohol treatment centers. To improve public services, Kitsap County will continue to work with its Continuum of Care Coalition to identify gaps in public services.

Anti-Poverty Strategy

Anti-poverty programs will center on extremely low-income households. To reduce the number of households below the poverty line, Kitsap County will:

• Promote facilities and support services for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless.
• Maintain and expand the supply of safe and affordable housing.
• Support economic diversification efforts within Kitsap County.
• Seek additional Section 8 certificates for the Bremerton and Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authorities.
• Leverage CDBG funds for economic development through CDBG Section 108 business loans and small business development incubators.

Housing and Community Development Resources

In addition to Federal, local, private, and nonprofit resources, Kitsap County will use State resources to meet its housing and public services needs, such as:

• The Washington State Housing Assistance Program. This program provides loans and grants to local governments, nonprofit organizations, and public housing organizations to increase the availability and affordability of housing to lower income and special needs populations.
• The Washington State Housing Finance Commission. This commission uses below-market-rate mortgages and tax credits to assist eligible first-time homebuyers and rental property owners.
• The Emergency Shelter Assistance Program. This program provides State funds for emergency shelter and other necessary services for the homeless.

Coordination of the Strategic Plan

The Consolidated Plan will be carried out in partnership with the cities of Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Port Orchard, and Poulsbo, and the Bremerton and Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authorities. Nonprofit housing and supportive service providers throughout the county will be involved as active participants in providing housing and social services to low- and very low-income, special needs, and homeless populations. Private sector developers, contractors, and lenders will also participate.

Description of Key Projects

During the first year of the Consolidated Plan, the county will spend $2.1 million in CDBG funds and $926,000 in HOME funds on housing and community development projects. These include:

• $100,000 for homebuyer assistance programs in Bremerton. Loans and other forms of financial assistance will be given to lower income homebuyers who are purchasing a home through the Federal Housing Administration 203 program.
• $150,000 to acquire land in Port Orchard that will be used to build a 41-unit rental complex for lower income elderly persons.
• $300,000 to acquire and rehabilitate the historically significant Elks building in downtown Bremerton and create 33 single room units for homeless persons and 19 newly constructed apartments for households with incomes below 51 percent of MFI.
• $126,000 for the Bainbridge Youth and Family Services Center. Funds will be used to construct a coordinated Family Services Center that will include a Head Start program, jobs program, mental health counseling, and a resource library for parents.
• $24,400 to make public facilities more accessible to disabled persons by removing architectural barriers.
• $15,000 to purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle so employment training and therapeutic activities for disabled persons can be carried out in a safe manner.
• $20,000 for the Sound Works Job Center, a no-fee job referral program for lower income persons of north Kitsap County.

Lead Agencies

The city of Bremerton will be the lead agency in administering the Consolidated Plan within its boundaries. Outside the City of Bremerton, the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority, of which the county and the Cities of Bainbridge Island, Port Orchard, and Poulsbo are members, will provide the lead in housing program planning and implementation.

Maps

MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.

MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.

MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.

MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.

MAP 6 is a map, sectioned by neighborhood, which depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.

MAP 7 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within one of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.

MAP 8 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within another of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.

MAP 9 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded project(s) from a street level vantage point; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).