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Kitsap County outlines Pacific Building Shelter operations after $1.2 million in CDBG-CV funding
Summary
County and nonprofit staff described the newly renovated Pacific Building Shelter in Port Orchard: a 75-bed temporary shelter with 24/7 operations, wraparound services provided by Kitsap Rescue Mission, a pet-care facility and CDBG-CV funding totaling about $1.2 million of an $8.9 million project cost.
Kitsap County staff and shelter partners presented the Pacific Building Shelter project and a contract closeout public hearing on March 10, describing the facility operations, funding and services for vulnerable residents.
Bonnie Tufts of Kitsap County Department of Human Services said the project received Community Development Block Grant — Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds distributed by HUD under the CARES Act. "The Pacific Building Shelter project total project cost [was] a little over $8,900,000," Tufts said, and the shelter received "a little over $1,200,000 in CDBG-CV funds," with the county's direct allocation at $894,346 and about $350,000 from the Washington State Department of Commerce via contract with the county.
Tufts said the Pacific Building Shelter, located at 4459 Mile Hill Drive in Port Orchard, is a renovated 75,000-square-foot former gym that was converted into a temporary congregate shelter. The facility operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can serve men, women and children; Kitsap Rescue Mission provides on-site staffing and services, and Kitsap County owns the building and maintains upkeep.
Carl Borg (Housing and Homelessness Program) and Kitsap Rescue Mission program director Helen Kachara detailed the facility layout and operations. Borg described new sleeping areas, a family sleeping room for families with children, a commercial kitchen with a hired chef, a pet-care room and kennels. Kachara said the Rescue Mission currently has 47 guests (14 children) and expected to reach 75 guests within two to three weeks, with case managers, housing navigators and support staff providing wraparound services. The shelter includes 13 showers, enhanced plumbing and electrical work, and a generator that has been tested during outages.
Commissioners and the public asked about safety, security staffing and pet services. Kachara said security and intake processes are in place: "At every given moment of the day, we know who is in shelter and who is not." She said there is 24/7 security coverage, guest searches at intake, a two-tote rule for personal items, and cameras covering public areas (not bathrooms, showers or sleeping interiors) with recorded footage available to staff. Diane (from CARE/CARES), appearing remotely, said volunteer groomers and certified trainers are supporting the pet program and kennel training for animals not crate trained.
Bonnie Tufts noted the post-construction public hearing and closeout was required by the Department of Commerce contract; no written public comments were received during the notice period. The board received public praise and questions about programming, workforce development opportunities tied to the shelter kitchen and how the facility would be used during emergencies; staff said the building’s generator and operations have already helped during local outages and the shelter is one of several county cold-weather and emergency options.
The public hearing was opened and closed; no formal county action or funding vote occurred at the meeting beyond the informational closeout required under the grant contract.
