As tenants face another month's rent due in May, Kitsap County is going ahead with a countywide rental assistance program to help residents struggling from the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic fallout.
Kitsap County received $641,438 in housing grants as part of the federal coronavirus aid package passed in late March, known as the CARES Act. That money will go toward short-term emergency rental assistance, split between social services nonprofit Kitsap Community Resources and Housing Kitsap, the county’s housing authority.
Housing Kitsap will receive $250,000 for its own tenants, while KCR will distribute $391,438 for renters in Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island, Port Orchard and unincorporated Kitsap County. The aid will cover up to three months' rent for households who make below 80% of Kitsap’s Area Median Income and have lost a job or seen income reduction because of the coronavirus crisis. It can apply retroactively to April rent.
“I think it will be a godsend when the dollars are able to go out into the community,” said Kitsap County Commissioner Rob Gelder, who added it will not only provide stability for renters but also help landlords.
“It's kind of a domino effect where the ability to help someone with their rent allows them to stay housed,” he said. “That’s good for them but it also has an ongoing effect through the local economy, for the landlord and property owners.”
Renters in Bremerton have access to rental assistance through the Bremerton Housing Authority under a program city leaders and the housing authority started last year. That joint program has already passed out more than $88,000 to Bremerton renters impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. And it will take in another $268,383 in federal funding earmarked for Bremerton under the CARES Act.
Housing Kitsap is working to get its program up and running as soon as possible, with plans to start accepting applications by the start of May, said Stuart Grogan, the housing authority’s executive director.
“I think it will be huge and take an enormous pressure and stress off our clients,” he said, indicating that about 400 of Housing Kitsap tenants are likely eligible for the aid.
Kitsap Community Resources started accepting applications this week and has beefed up its staffing in preparation for an influx of inquiries. Jeff Alevy, KCR executive director, says it hopes to turn around those requests in three days or less, which is especially important because May rent is due soon.
“The timing is really critical,” he said. “It’s a blessing to be able to serve families who are struggling and don’t have other options.”
Need assistance?
- If you a Bremerton resident in need of rental assistance, contact the Bremerton Housing Authority at 360-473-0325 or https://ift.tt/1tnLI94.
- If you live in other parts of Kitsap County, contact Kitsap Community Resources at 360-473-2035 or www.kcr.org.
- If you are a Housing Kitsap tenant, contact the housing authority at 360-535-6100, or visit www.housingkitsap.org.
- The Washington State Department of Commerce also has rental and energy assistance available for households that qualify for the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Austen Macalus is the Kitsap Sun's social services reporter — covering health care, homelessness and how programs are serving those in need. He can be reached at austen.macalus@kitsapsun.com or 360-536-6423.
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