Significant BHA Milestones
July 17, 1941
Westpark, BHA’s first project, is completed for occupancy by shipyard workers and their families
1941 to 1945
BHA constructs 6,246 residential dwellings in Bremerton including Sheridan Park, Sinclair Park, View Ridge, Anderson Cove, Westpark Eastpark, and Qualheim Hill
1945
Westpark and other BHA developments begin to house military families; at the conclusion of the WWII, discussions begin on disposition plans for dormitories and demountable projects, like Sinclair Park and Qualheim Hill
1947 to 1955
BHA transfers ownership of Anderson Cove, Sheridan Park, Eastpark, Sinclair Park, Qualheim Hill, and View Ridge to a variety of groups including the US Navy and private owners; some demountable dwellings are moved to the University of Washington; duration dormitories are demolished to make way for Olympic College; Westpark remains BHA’s only housing development.
1973
BHA signs a contact with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to convert Westpark to the federal Conventional Low Rent Public Housing program
1974
BHA begins participation in HUD’s Section 23 Leased Housing program, the forerunner of HUD’s Section 8 program, and begins providing rental subsidies from HUD to private landlords.
Searle Street Apartments, located in Westpark, are completed for occupancy for seniors.
1978
The Firs, located in Westpark, is completed for occupancy for seniors
BHA assumes management of the Mason County Housing Authority
BHA begins providing Section 8 rental assistance to low income households in cooperation with local landlords
Provide management to Narrows, Hallet House, and Village Green
1985
BHA begins participation in HUD’s Rental Rehabilitation program and receives an allocation of Section 8 vouchers
1995
Sylvan Pines (40 Units) senior home ownership unit in East Bremerton
BHA begins administration of Section 8 Certificates and Vouchers for the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority
1998
Congress passes the Quality Housing Work Responsibility Act (QHWRA) and the Section 8 Certificate and Voucher programs are consolidated into the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program
1999
Commissioners conduct a community-wide affordable housing needs study; BHA completes conversion of all Section 8 Certificates to Housing Choice Vouchers
Contract Management Services, a division of BHA, is formed to compete for Performance-Based Contract Administration (PBCA) work for HUD in the state of Washington
2004
Tamarack acquired and added to BHA portfolio
CMS enters into subcontract with the Hawaii Public HA to perform PBCA tasks in Hawaii
2005
CMS is awarded PBCA contracts for the states of Utah and Nebraska
BHA purchased 2nd floor offices in the Norm Dicks Government Center (NDGC)
2007
Bay Vista Commons opens for occupancy BHA receives HUD relocation vouchers to assist with moving residents from Westpark
2008
Relocation of residents out of Westpark begins
HUD awards BHA a HOPE VI Public Housing Revitalization Grant of $20M
2009
CMS subcontracts with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) to perform PBCA tasks in So. California
BHA ends management services for Mason Co. HA and Jefferson Co. HA; Housing Choice Vouchers in Mason Co. are transferred into BHA’s portfolio
Demolition of existing Westpark homes begins and construction started for the new Bay Vista community
2010
Last residents of Westpark move out and BHA central office at 110 Russell Road is demolished. BHA central operations move to temporary location at 4040 Wheaton Way
2014
Contract Management Services, a division of BHA, enters into a contract to provide performance-based contract administrative services (PBCA) tasks in Georgia and Illinois
2016
Wright Court acquired and renovated
Charter House acquired and renovated
BHA rolled out a new website in September 2016. The new website transitioned BHA from an outdated web presence to an efficient and secure website built on an industry proven content management system
2017
Case Del Sol acquired and renovated
2018
BHA partnered with the City of Bremerton to create a unique Rental Assistance Program to address gaps in housing affordability for working households
BHA completed the sale of the last two remaining parcels of land at the former West Park public housing project
BHA incorporation of all property management functions in-house October 1, 2018
2019
BHA upgraded to Yardi Voyager 7S May 2019. The conversion from Yardi Voyager 6 to 7S significantly enhanced BHA's ability to manage programs and reporting as a Housing Authority
BHA contributes $3.1 million for Pendleton Place, a 72-unit permanent supportive housing developed for chronically homeless individuals
2020
CMS rolled out a new website August 2020. The new website transitioned CMS from a platform with many limitations to a robust content management system with lots of opportunities
December 1, 2020 CMS celebrates 20 years in reshaping the affordable housing landscape in Bremerton
2020 Agency Award of Merit – Resident and Client Services: Community Connections Team
The Community Connections Team (CCT) organizes supportive services for individuals and families receiving subsidy from Bremerton Housing Authority (BHA). The CCT works to encourage all residents to stay connected to their community by offering various classes and activities. The team connects residents to long-term economic self-sufficiency resources through referrals for job training, financial literacy programs, wellness programs, basic education, and career advancement. The CCT also runs and operates a full-service cafe and Barista Training Program used for job and life skills training. The program has seen many graduates go on to find jobs and thrive.
Government Technology and AT&T Special Districts West Region
2020 Technology Innovation Award – Operations Category: Bremerton Housing Authority, WA – Telecommuting Implementation
Although management of low-income housing is considered an essential function, the authority implemented emergency telecommuting for 50% of its staff, including use of Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Customers and stakeholders were supported extremely well, resulting in telecommuting becoming permanent.
2021
BHA welcomes new Executive Director, Jill Stanton
Playgrounds at Shadow Creek and Winfield completed
Formation of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Team
To promote a broad understanding and appreciation of diversity, engendering in staff, clients and stakeholders the wisdom to listen to and respect voices and perspectives different from our own
Diversity is the presence of differences within a given setting. Equity is the process of ensuring that processes and programs are impartial, fair and provide equal possible outcomes for every individual. Inclusion is the practice of ensuring that people feel a sense of belonging in the workplace
Formation of BHA Engagement was established
BHA Home Purchase project was selected to receive $1.5 million award funding in the 2021 Housing Trust Fund "Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition"
Awarded 20 additional VASH vouchers from Department of Veterans Affairs
2022
HUD revised our Fair Market Rents. The new calculation is almost 20% higher than our 2021 calculation. This is a huge win for us, our community and, in particular, for our voucher holders shopping for units. This increase will allow us to pay higher rents for every unit size and benefits at least another dozen rental assistance programs in Kitsap County.
An award of nearly $43,000 to the Bremerton Housing Authority from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for its Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) initiative is already making a difference in young lives. The FYI program provides funds to pay market rate rents for three to five years to eligible young people who are also receiving other supportive services. This is initial funding for vouchers awarded so far, with more funding available as additional vouchers are distributed to youth aging out of foster care.
September 2022 Pendleton Place is completely leased up. 72 people have been moved into Pendleton Place since late May. That is 72 people who are no longer homeless.
October 2022 Friends of Housing Award: Recognized for our successful efforts with appealing to HUD for higher fair market rents.
