Pacific building shelter project (Mile Hill)
Kitsap County closed on purchase of the former Olympic Fitness Club building April 14, 2022 to be used for temporary emergency housing programs. The building was purchased for $1.5 million with a combination of state grants designated to create new emergency housing and provide local funding for homeless and affordable housing projects.
“Many in our community struggle to find housing they can afford as the costs surge throughout the Puget Sound region. As prices rise, creative shared housing solutions have appeared. Although limited available housing is still a barrier to finding a place to live, the recent Kitsap Pavilion shelter provides a valuable example for what is possible in South Kitsap," said Kitsap County Commissioner Charlotte Garrido.
The purchase came after a countywide search to find a suitable building. This facility, located at 4459 Mile Hill Drive, was selected for many reasons, including large square footage, its South Kitsap location, access to public transportation and proximity to a wide range of services.
Initially, the Kitsap Public Health District and Kitsap County were considering using the site for community COVID-19 vaccine clinics, but ultimately chose a different site, located elsewhere in South Kitsap.
The county is in the process of assessing requirements to bring the building up to code and what permits will be needed.
“South Kitsap is home to many people who need access to emergency housing and supportive services. We know the best way to help people get off the streets and out of the woods is to offer them a safe, clean, decent place to live, and connection with supportive services, while they are re-building their lives and transitioning back to stable permanent housing. That’s the goal for this facility,” said Kirsten Jewell, Kitsap County Department of Human Services Housing and Homelessness Division manager.
News and Updates
2023 Overview of Point-In-Time Count of Homelessness
Click on the link above to view preliminary results of the 2023 Kitsap County Annual Point-In-Time Count. The “Point in Time” count is an annual survey that gathers information about people experiencing homelessness during a 24-hour period at the end of January. This survey provides critical information regarding the scope and nature of homelessness in our community and can impact funding for homeless housing and services.
Commissioner's Corner October 2022: Pacific Building
In this episode of Commissioner’s Corner, Charlotte Garrido interviews individuals who have sought assistance through the Kitsap Rescue Mission about the causes and circumstances surrounding their personal experience with being homeless. In the second half of the video, Commissioner Garrido discusses the Pacific Building Shelter Project and the services it will provide in the South Kitsap area, with Kirsten Jewell from the Housing and Homelessness Division, Kitsap County Human Services Department.
Listening Sessions
Download the Temporary Emergency Housing Program Presentation
Media Links
Kitsap closes on purchase of facility to provide emergency housing programs in South Kitsap (4/19/2021)
Kitsap Daily News - Homeless shelter being relocated to former Olympic Fitness Center site
Kitsap Sun - County purchase will add South Kitsap shelter (subscription required)
Kitsap Sun - County officials aiming to open South Kitsap homeless shelter by fall (subscription required)
Kitsap homeless facility is delayed by (you guessed it) supply-chain issues
