Kitsap County currently has an operational eviction prevention and utility assistance for renters impacted by COVID-19, who are behind on rent and are at risk of losing their housing (meeting the requirement in Governor Inslee's Proclamation 21-09.

We anticipate many renters applying and appreciate your patience!

NOTICE: The waitlist for Kitsap Eviction Prevention Assistance (KEPA) rental assistance applications is CLOSED

How to apply for Rental Assistance or Utility Assistance or Both

Renters and landlords have several options to apply:
1. Click here to initiate an online KEPA Pre-Application (Waitlist closed)

2. Download the fillable form Pre-application Packet (English)(Español)(Waitlist is closed).

3. Download the printable Pre-Application Packet (English)   (Español). (Waitlist is closed)  This PDF file can be printed and completed by hand.  Follow the instructions to complete and submit in-person at KCR. 

If you are already enrolled in Bremerton Housing Authority or Housing Kitsap programs you should contact your agency directly to apply for rental assistance. 

Some tips:
• Applicants must qualify as low-income at or below 50% Area Median Income (AMI). Below is a snapshot of 50% AMI income limits by household size:

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• If you aren't sure if you qualify, you can still download, complete, and submit the pre-application anyway. We may be able to refer tenants who don't qualify for this eviction prevention or utility assistance program to other programs for support.

• We included a checklist to help you prepare for the pre-application. Note that you do not need to have all of this information to fill out the form! However, the more information you can provide us, the faster we can process your application.

• This program is only for renters and landlords. Homeowners are not eligible to apply for this program unless they are the landlord.

• Utility assistance covers the following bills:

  • Electricity
  • Water
  • Sewer
  • Gas
  • Garbage Pickup
  • Home energy costs

This program is funded by grants from the Department of Treasury and Washington State Department Commerce, administered by the Kitsap County Department of Human Services Housing & Homelessness Division, and operated by Kitsap Community Resources through the Housing Solutions Center.

Bremerton Housing Authority and Housing Kitsap are operating this eviction assistance program for tenants served by these organizations.

*Personally identifying households information is not provided to the federal government.

Households are prioritized by the following methods 1) households must be at or below 50% AMI, and 2) households with one or more individuals who are unemployed and have been unemployed for 90 days before their application date are prioritized to be assisted before households that are not unemployed.

Do you have questions or concerns about the eviction process?

Washington State has implemented numerous changes to the eviction process in the state.  Some of these changes are permanent, others are temporary.  Please read the 5160 Resources and Summary.pdf for information and an overview about the many changes to Washington State Eviction Law.  The resources below can provide more information about these changes may provide additional assistance or services.

If you are a tenant who has been served and eviction notice, these are legal resources available to help you.

Kitsap County News

KEPA Quick Stats for the period 9/1/2020 - 6/30/2023

​Number of unique households assisted with rent and/or utilities payments: ​4,230
​Total amount of unpaid rent and utilities assistance paid to landlords and utility providers to prevent evictions: ​$36.7 million

​Average number of days from submitting a pre-application to the waitlist, eligibility and documentation are reviewed, and a complete application has been approved₁:

 ​122 days

​Average number of days currently to make a payment to a landlord once a complete application has been approved₁:

 ​18 days

For more detailed information view our KEPA Data Summary (last updated 11/16/23)      

₁ An application is considered approved once: all documentation for household eligibility has been received; the household is determined to qualify for the program; the landlord has submitted needed documentation; and payment agreements have been signed, and payment has been approved by a manager.

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Basic Information

☐ All of the Tenant's contact information
☐ All of the landlord's contact information
☐ A list of who lives in your home, including:
     ☐ First & last name
     ☐ Age
     ☐ Date of birth
     ☐ Gender identity
     ☐ Race
     ☐ Whether or not they are Hispanic
     ☐ Their relationship to you
     ☐ Their current monthly income
     ☐ If anyone is unemployed, the dates they have been unemployed

Housing Information

☐ The amount of rent you are supposed to pay each month
☐ The number of bedrooms in your housing
☐ Whether or not your housing is subsidized
☐ The amount of rent you currently owe your landlord
☐ The month for which you have not paid your rent

Utilities Information

☐ If you are asking for help with utilities, a list of which utilities and how much you owe them each

Documents

☐ Copy of your lease, if you are asking for rental assistance
☐ Copy of proof of income (such as W-2, last month's pay stubs, or tax form)
☐ Copies of utility bills, if you are asking for utilities assistance

Questions? Call (360) 473-2035

Technical Assistance Session

  • Kitsap County Housing & Homelessness Division hosted an optional Technical Assistance session for the upcoming "By and For" Community Organizations Assisting Diverse Populations funding opportunity. View the recording at the following Youtube link, and see the Presentation Slides (pdf) for more information.

​KEPA Eviction Prevention Distribution Partners

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KEPA Outreach Partners

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More News

Detailed Program Information

The Kitsap Eviction Prevention Assistance Program (KEPA) includes several different funding sources for rental assistance prevent eviction for our County's lowest-income households.  This program is funded through the federal Corona Virus Relief Act.

More information about the KEPA Program, guidelines, and forms can be obtained on the Housing & Homelessness Division Grantee Page

​Washington State Department of Commerce

Link to the Commerce CARES Act and State Rent Assistance
ERAP Guidelines, Forms and Q&A
T-RAP Guidelines, Forms and Q&A

Landlord Mitigation Programs

The Washington State Dept of Commerce operates a few programs to assist landlords directly to proide relief for damages to property, preserve tenancy, and for COVID relief. Visit Washington State Landlord Mitigation Programs for assistance.

​This project was supported by a grant awarded by US Department of the Treasury.  Points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the US Department of the Treasury. Grant funds are administered by the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund thru the Washington State Department of Commerce.