 | | Coordinated grant cycle for housing, facilities, services funding opens soon | 3/31/2023 | March 31, 2023ResourcesClick the links below for more information about County resources. Human Services Home Page Block Grant County Home Page |
The 2024 grant application cycle will open soon! This year’s coordinated grant application process will include multiple sources to provide funding for local affordable housing, services, facilities and programs. A pre-application appointment is required for all applicants. This will be an opportunity to discuss proposed projects and ask questions about available funding. The 2024 coordinated grant cycle includes the following funding sources: - Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): Federal funds received annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to fund public services, rehabilitation and weatherization of housing; economic development programs; public facilities; and infrastructure projects linked to affordable housing to benefit low and very low-income households.
- HOME Investment Partnership (HOME): Federal funds received annually from HUD to fund affordable rental and homeownership housing projects to benefit low and very low-income households.
- HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP): Federal funds received from HUD through the HOME Program for the development and support of affordable housing to individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or in other vulnerable populations.
- Homeless Housing Grant Program (HHGP) and Affordable Housing Grant Program (AHGP): Funds authorized by the Washington State Legislature collected through a fee on certain transactions recorded at the Auditor’s Office, used to support the operations of emergency shelters and homeless service programs.
- Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG): A portion of document recording fees that are not retained locally are distributed by the Washington State Department of Commerce back to counties through contracts for designated homeless housing and services.
- Community Investments in Affordable Housing (CIAH): Funds available through Kitsap County's new 1/10th of 1% sales tax for affordable housing development and behavioral health-related projects to support services, operations, and maintenance.
- Mental Health, Chemical Dependency and Therapeutic Court Programs (MHCDTC): Funds available through Kitsap County's 1/10th of 1% sales tax for mental health, substance abuse and therapeutic court programs.
For a schedule of key dates and to learn more about available funding sources, visit the coordinated grant application process page. |
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| | | | Replacement process for District 1 Commissioner vacancy reviewed | 3/22/2023 | Kitsap County Commissioner Rob Gelder, representing District 1 in North Kitsap, notified the Board of County Commissioners March 20 of his intent to step down effective May 23, 2023. With this announcement, here is a review of the process to fill the position. As Commissioner Gelder was elected as a Democrat, the Washington State Constitution Article II, Section 15 directs the Kitsap County Democratic Central Committee to provide the Board of County Commissioners, as appointing authority, with a list of three potential appointees to fill the vacancy. Minimum qualifications for appointment are that the person must be over the age of 18 and reside in Commissioner District 1. "With the Kitsap County's focus on updating our Comprehensive Plan, a process that runs through 2024, and the priority to address the housing crisis in Kitsap, we are hoping for applicants with diverse backgrounds, perspective grounded in the community, and a proven ability to form partnerships," said Commissioner Charlotte Garrido, chair of the Board of County Commissioners. The new commissioner will be joining District 2 and 3 Commissioners representing South and Central Kitsap in setting policy; managing the county's $548 million budget; overseeing the Public Works, Parks, Community Development and Human Services departments; and serve on multiple boards such as the Kitsap Public Health District, Housing Kitsap and Kitsap Transit. More information can be found on the Kitsap Board of County Commissioners website. The Board will conduct interviews to explore qualifications of the three potential appointees during one of its regular public briefing sessions. Following these interviews, the Board will deliberate in executive session and formally appoint a new Commissioner at a subsequent Board meeting. The Board has 60 days after the office becomes vacant to make the appointment. The appointee will serve for the balance of Commissioner Gelder's term, which expires December 31, 2024. Commissioner Gelder was appointed in March 2011 and then elected in November 2011 to complete the unexpired term of Commissioner Steve Bauer, and elected to his first full four-year term in 2012. Those interested in applying to serve as District 1 Commissioner should contact the Kitsap Democratic Party at chair@kitsapdemocrats.org and go to the Kitsap Democrats appointment information page.
| | | | Kitsap County Commissioner Rob Gelder announces he is stepping down May 23 | 3/20/2023 | March 20, 2023 Commissioner Rob Gelder announces he is stepping down from his elected position Today, Commissioner Rob Gelder announced he is stepping down from his elected position as Kitsap County Commissioner representing North Kitsap. Following is a statement he released to Kitsap County elected officials, directors and staff: Having just celebrated 12 years of service to the residents of Kitsap County, it is bittersweet to share the news that I will be stepping down as County Commissioner effective May 23, 2023. I truly love public service, especially at the local and county level. As Commissioner, I have had the opportunity to learn about so many topics and issues over the years, but often only at a limited depth. I love to learn and have valued the wide range of subject matters in which the board is involved. I have always likened it to being in college, shifting from one course to another every few minutes of the day. I have thrived in this everchanging environment, but one thing is certain, I couldn’t have done so without the support of a phenomenal team of county staff and community members! I had an opportunity presented to me that will afford me the chance to work with a team, to still support policy development, and to do a deeper dive into how certain services are provided to the community. That role will be as the Assistant County Manager for Thurston County. In that role I will be focusing on six key areas: public works, public defense, pre-trial services, health and human services, emergency services, and community planning/economic development. In looking back over the past 12 years, I know I am blessed by the people I’ve worked with, met along the way, and the diverse community that is Kitsap County. There is a unique culture of collaboration between the various jurisdictions, elected officials, and staff. That is something to be celebrated and promoted. While it is difficult to summarize my tenure in certain accomplishments, I am proud of many things: - The role that I and the county played in making the Kingston Village Green a reality.
- Partnering with Coffee Oasis to expand into the Kingston community.
- The creation of a Forest Stewardship policy that governs the restorative thinning work throughout the Kitsap County Parks system.
- The addition of over 4,000 acres of public open space for community enjoyment now and in generations to come.
- Strong relationships with both the Suquamish and Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribes.
- Partnering with the Suquamish Tribe to create the Port Madison Dialogues.
- Moving the long-term solution for addressing Kingston ferry traffic impacts forward in partnership with our state legislators, the Port of Kingston, Kitsap Transit and community members – there is funding and a plan to bring it to fruition.
- The way county staff pivoted during the COVID pandemic and an everchanging environment.
- We have a county that is financially solid, but that does not diminish the structural inadequacies of how local government is funded and the need for resources to maintain or expand the levels of service.
For all this and so much more, I thank the county staff and the residents of Kitsap for their support and the privilege of being your public servant. |
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| | | | Kitsap County Job Fair Tuesday, April 11 9 AM – 1 PM | 3/16/2023 |  | Kitsap County Job Fair
Tuesday, April 11 9 AM – 1 PM
Kitsap County Administration Building 619 Division Street in Port Orchard Come discover why we love working at Kitsap County! Mark your calendar and join us at the Kitsap County Job Fair April 11. You’ll learn about the diverse job opportunities that are available at Kitsap County. With over 200 job types, we have jobs in every field! Learn about current openings, apply onsite, and sign up for alerts when new jobs are posted. Come and meet employees from different County departments and learn why they love where they work. Ask questions and find out why they choose to work for Kitsap County. They can show you current openings and talk about careers in their line of work. Looking for a good summer job? Get hired on the spot! If you’re looking for summer work, come prepared for an interview! We are interviewing, and in some cases hiring, on-site for our Summer Employment Program! Get your foot in the door and gain great work experience this summer with our Public Works Department! Learn more about the program at kcowa.us/summer. Learn about working at Kitsap County: KCOWA.US/LWYW Open jobs: KCOWA.US/JOBS Questions?If you are interested in bringing a group to this event, please let us know here. We can help with logistics. | |  |
| Kitsap County | Kitsap1:360.337.5777 | help@kitsap1.com
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| | | | Public hearing delayed to April 10 for Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan draft alternatives | 3/3/2023 | March 3, 2023
Public hearing delayed to April 10 for Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan draft alternatives
The Washington State Department of Commerce this week released housing needs projections over the next 20 years and guidance on how counties and cities should address them. This may affect Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan draft alternatives currently under consideration and could require additional zoning revisions, assumptions of growth or other changes to one or more of these alternatives. To allow additional time to assess the impacts of this guidance and provide necessary clarity to the public on what is proposed, the March 13 Board of County Commissioners' public hearing on Comprehensive Plan draft alternatives is delayed until April 10. Commissioners will take verbal testimony at the April 10 hearing. Until then, written testimony on the draft alternative maps and descriptions will continue to be accepted at compplan@kitsap.gov. More information on the process, purpose and content of the preliminary draft alternatives can be found at kcowa.us/compplan. Videos of past presentations, public meetings and other information are also available on the site. Send questions and comments to compplan@kitsap.gov or call Kitsap1 at (360) 337-5777 and ask for Planning and Environmental Programs.
| | | | Survey open through March 31 to help inform 2024-2027 Aging Area Plan | 3/2/2023 |
The Kitsap County Division of Aging and Long-Term Care is the designated Area Agency on Aging for Kitsap, responsible for development of an Area Plan that identifies local services for older adults, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers. The Aging Area Plan, currently being developed, is a four-year plan that identifies gaps in services and describes demographic trends, challenges, and opportunities. The plan also addresses how the Area Agency on Aging will administer programs and allocate discretionary funding to support aging in place, as well as informal caregivers.
Kitsap County residents are invited to share ideas in a survey that will be used in the development of the 2024-2027 Area Plan.
The survey deadline is Friday, March 31, 2023.
Visit www.agingkitsap.com for links to the survey in English and Spanish and to learn more about services and resources available to older residents and their caregivers.
To receive a paper survey by mail, call the Aging & Long-Term Care offices at 360-337-5700. To request translation assistance, call 360-337-5700 or email Tawnya Weintraub at tweintra@kitsap.gov.
| | | | Point No Point County Park remains closed to vehicular traffic | 2/7/2023 | February 7, 2023 Point No Point flooding update: Point No Point Park remains closed to vehicular traffic for the foreseeable future due to storm and flooding impacts. The entrance road to the park, Point No Point Road, remains closed to the public but is open for residents to access their properties. Point No Point Road and Park are now open to the US Coast Guard, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Lighthouse Society employees, U.S. Lighthouse Society vacation rentals, contractors, and service vehicles. Authorized vehicles will display a permit in the window. Pedestrian access to Point No Point Park is permitted from Thor's Road trailhead. Please obey all trail signs and respect private property.
Park repairs and beach rehabilitation are currently under evaluation; park access and use may change to accommodate construction and repair work. New updates will be posted as needed. Details at http://kcowa.us/kccoastal
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