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North Kitsap STEP study: Eco Northwest urges interlocal partnership and a 15–25‑unit pilot to begin closing shelter gap
Summary
Eco Northwest presented the findings of a North Kitsap Step (STEPS/step) housing needs assessment to the Poulsbo City Council study session. The consultant recommended forming an interlocal agreement (ILA) among North Kitsap jurisdictions and committing to a flexible property for a 15–25‑unit pilot (emergency, recovery or permanent supportive h
At a July 16 workshop the North Kitsap STEP (STEPS/step) group presented a regional needs assessment and recommendations produced by Eco Northwest to address emergency and permanent supportive housing gaps in North Kitsap.
Key findings: Eco Northwest told the group that as of its analysis most emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing resources are located in south Kitsap (Bremerton/Port Orchard) while the North Kitsap region (Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo and adjacent unincorporated areas) has few or no emergency housing units that meet the Department of Commerce definition. The firm’s estimate — derived from point‑in‑time counts, Housing Solutions Center data, school‑reported housing instability and provider interviews — suggested a nontrivial, locally dispersed unhoused population requiring regional coordination.
Recommendations: Eco Northwest recommended three near‑term steps: 1) establish a North Kitsap interlocal agreement (ILA) to coordinate planning, funding and implementation across Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County and the Suquamish Tribe; 2) task that work group to identify and carry forward a pilot project (emergency shelter, recovery housing, or permanent supportive housing) and perform site, operator and funding due diligence; and 3) jointly invest in a flexible property that could host 15–25 units so a first project can be sited and developed without pre‑committing to a single operational model.
Funding and next steps: Poulsbo staff said the city contributed $15,000 from local affordable housing taxes and $10,000 from a Department of Commerce STEP grant to fund the Eco Northwest study. Councilmembers and regional partners on the call — including Bainbridge Island and Kitsap County representatives and Commerce staff — expressed support. Staff proposed selecting representatives to draft an ILA, and council indicated support for continuing the intergovernmental process and for exploring a local advisory group to advance Poulsbo‑specific steps.
Why it matters: State law (House Bill 1220) requires jurisdictions to plan for a quantified number of STEP‑eligible units by 2044; Eco Northwest’s recommendations are intended to help North Kitsap jurisdictions meet their planning obligations and to create a tangible first project that would address a portion of the region’s need.
Ending: Councilmembers and regional partners welcomed the study and asked staff to return with next steps, including draft ILA language and a proposed list of jurisdictional representatives so the work group can begin site analysis and funding strategy work.
