Kitsap Community Resources says full‑time housing navigator now based in Port Orchard, urges rental assistance funding

Port Orchard — During the council's citizen comment period, Tony Ives, executive director of Kitsap Community Resources (KCR), told the council the agency now has a full-time housing navigator based in Port Orchard and is ready to begin offering rental assistance to residents.

"Finally, we have a full time housing navigator in Port Orchard, over at our offices on Jackson And Lund," Ives said, adding that he had spoken with the mayor about getting rental assistance started. "You give us the money. We'll make sure it's put to good use."

Ives described KCR as part of the Community Action network, which in Washington state comprises 30 Community Action Agencies and more than 1,000 nationwide, providing services such as Head Start, weatherization and housing support. He also described a housing consortium involving Bremerton Housing Authority, Housing Kitsap and Kitsap Public Health District, aimed at coordinating funding applications and needs assessments across Kitsap County.

Ives cited a county needs assessment that he said included more than 4,200 responses across Kitsap County and flagged housing concerns in South Kitsap: "40 percent said they don't have any concerns. 33% said the cost of rent or house payment is a concern. Cost of utilities, another 26%. Not enough housing available to rent or buy. These are all big issues for Port Orchard."

Ives, who identified himself as a Port Orchard resident and South High graduate, asked council members to call him for more information and offered to provide a longer presentation at a future meeting.

The council did not take formal action on the request during the meeting.