HomeMy WebLinkAbout2325RESOLUTION NO. 2325
WHEREAS, the City of Bremerton recently adopted "Housing
Bremerton," Resolution 2322 which identifies certain objectives for
the provision of housing affordable to all income households,
including the very-low income, such as:
a) Support development of housing for all income groups;
b) Redevelop deteriorated residential structures;
c) No displacement of existing low income residents; and
d) Develop housing strategy catering to a diverse housing
market; and
WHEREAS, Kitsap Mental Health Services is applying to the
Washington State Housing Trust Fund for approximately $500,000 in
grant monies for the purchase and rehabilitation of a pool of
decent, affordable housing for chronically mentally ill households
of Bremerton and Kitsap County; and
WHEREAS, Kitsap Mental Health Services would use Washington
State Housing Trust Fund monies, private funds and other public
funds to develop ten homes throughout the county, including six in
Bremerton and four in greater Kitsap County; and
WHEREAS, Kitsap Mental Health Services has determined that 74%
of the county's chronically mentally ill currently reside in
Bremerton and 26% reside in the greater Kitsap County; and
WHEREAS, most chronically mentally ill households have incomes
between $414.00 and $600.00 a month making it difficult for them to
afford market rate housing, and as a result many become homeless;
WHEREAS, Kitsap Mental Health Services proposes to house
people who can live independently, without supervision, in single
family homes in residential neighborhoods consistent with
Bremerton's zoning ordinance.
NOWTHEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BREMETON CITY COUNCIL:
Does hereby support Kitsap Mental Health Serviced goal to take
aggressive steps to prevent homelessness for a population that is
increasingly vulnerable at a time of rapidly escalating rents; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Bremerton City Council
supports Kitsap Mental Health Service application to the State
Housing Trust Fund to provide housing affordable to chronically
mentally ill households throughout the county; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Bremerton City Council direct
staff to work with Kitsap Mental Health Services to explore use of
rental rehabilitation loans to provide matching funds as necessary
and appropriate to the State Housing Trust fund monies.
PASSED by the Bremerton City Council this 24
day of October, 1990.
Lynn Horton, President
City Council
APPROVED this 25 day of October, 1990.
Louis Mentor, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kathleen McCluskey, City Clerk
KITSAP MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF APPLICATION FOR
WASHINGTON STATE HOUSING TRUST FUND PROGRAM
The purpose of this project is to begin to develop a permanent pool of decent,
affordable housing for the chronically mentally ill of Kitsap County, in settings
that will maximize their integration into the community and their ability to
function independently. KMHS has made a long-term commitment to make
every reasonable effort to help meet the housing needs of our consumers.
With the help of Housing Trust Fund dollars, we are proposing to purchase
and renovate 10 three bedroom houses in Kitsap County. Trust Fund money
will enable us to lease these houses to our consumers at affordable rates (in
no case greater than 35% of an individual consumer's income).
One of these houses will be fitted to be wheelchair accessible and priority
for this residence will be given to physically impaired consumers, of which
we currently have several. Consistent with our population and local housing
plans, 6 of these houses would be in Bremerton and 4 would be spread throughout
other areas of the county. (Approximately 70% of our consumers live in
Bremerton.)
Kitsap County is experiencing an extremely rapid rate of growth. As is to
be expected, this growth in population has been accompanied by quickly
escalating residential prices and a declining number of available housing units
while rents are steadily going up. As rents do increase, so does the number
of homeless. An income study of 353 adult chronically mentally ill consumers
we currently serve through our Community Support Program indicates that
76% survive on monthly disability payments of $414 per month (20% of area
median income), and 95% have incomes of $600 per month or less. The
magnitude of the problem and its impact on the chronically mentally ill
population of Kitsap County becomes clear.
Both the City of Bremerton and the Kitsap Consolidated Housing Authority
(KCHA) have assured us that our project would be a priority for available rental
rehabilitation loan dollars. Kitsap Community Action Program has also
expressed commitment for weatherization grants for this project, since the
population we propose to serve meets their priority population criteria both
in terms of special needs and in terms of income level.
This application represents just one aspect of an aggressive campaign that
KMHS is conducting to obtain adequate housing for its consumers. Other avenues
we are pursuing include an active campaign to solicit rental subsidies from
churches and community service organizations. KMHS has recently submitted
an application for a Community Development Block Grant to purchase and
renovate one house in Bremerton. We have just purchased an almost new,
four bedroom, doublewide mobile home which we will be installing on a KMHS
owned lot. With a small subsidy commitment from our Board, we will be able
to house four consumers and to keep their rent and utilities costs below the
35% threshold of their income. Similarly, KMHS is looking at the financial
feasibility of converting a building on which we hold the mortgage to a four
-2'
or five bedroom house, and providing housing for four or five consumers at
equally affordable rates and with a similar small subsidy.
These facilities and residences to be acquired with Housing Trust. Fund money
will be utilized for our Supported Living Program whereby consumers live
in normal, stable housing and are provided the services and supports necessary
to maximize their opportunities for community integration. The overriding
goal of community support services is to ensure that a consumer's basic needs
(food, clothing, shelter, health, etc.) are met, as well as the needs for treatment
and rehabilitation. We are also sensitive to our consumers' needs to live in
accepting environments and case managers will enlist neighbors' support in
all appropriate ways.
The project we are proposing is in full compliance with local housing, community
development, land use, and zoning plans. No relocation or displacement will
occur as a result of this project. We will only purchase unoccupied homes
or homes which are being voluntarily sold by the owner/occupant so relocation
is not a direct result of the project.
Kitsap Mental Health Services has 12 years of successful program
implementation, in which time we have established the critical integration
of emergency, community support, medical, inpatient and residential services.
The Residential Treatment Center and Intensive Case Management program
served as model projects for the Washington State Legislature for three years,
and were forerunners of Senate Bill 5400, the "Mental Health Reform Act."
KMHS has successfully completed a variety of contracts with many county
agencies and have been the recipient of two Community Development Block
Grants.
We are confident we have the skills, experience and commitment necessary
to make a success of all aspects of our proposed residential program.
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