Repositioning Project Information

Repositioning Project FAQs

Which properties will be affected by BHA’s redevelopment plans?
BHA will be renovating eight properties:

• Casa Del Sol Apartments
• Charter House Apartments
• Firs Apartments
• Shadow Creek Apartments
• Tamarack Apartments
• Tara Heights
• Winfield Apartments
• Wright Court

Why is Bremerton Housing Authority (BHA) renovating my building?
Many of the properties owned by BHA are upwards of 40 years old and need updates to ensure they remain safe and comfortable for decades to come. This project will allow BHA to complete major upgrades on important components like siding, windows, and roofs while also upgrading the inside of the units. This could include new cabinets, appliances, flooring, and common space upgrades, depending on the property and the individual needs of each unit. All of these improvements will make your home a safer, more enjoyable place to live.

What specific renovations will be done at my building and in my unit?
Specific renovations will depend on several factors, including the age, condition, and existing features of each building and dwelling unit. Buildings and common areas are in the process of being inspected from late 2023 through mid-2024. From early 2024 through the end of the year, individual units and homes will be inspected more closely to determine exactly what kinds of renovations are needed. At least 20 percent of all units will need to be inspected as part of a capital needs assessment beginning in early 2024.

You will be notified before your home is inspected. We will discuss specific renovations with you after the renovation scope is firmed up and the financing plan is complete, but before construction begins.

Will I be getting new appliances, flooring, fixtures, etc.?
As mentioned in the answer to the above question, this depends on the age and condition of your appliances, flooring, fixtures, etc. As we get closer to beginning construction, we will share with you and other residents what the specific plans are for your building and home.

Will the renovations affect how much I pay for rent?
Most residents will not see a rent increase as part of this renovation effort. The goal is to improve the buildings while maintaining the affordable rents that our residents are used to. Before the renovation begins, every resident will have the opportunity to sit down with BHA staff and discuss their individual circumstances. This project will ensure that your building remains an affordable property for decades to come.

I currently receive assistance paying my rent. Is that going to change?
If you currently receive assistance with your rent payments, you will continue to receive assistance. Throughout the eight sites being redeveloped, there are multiple types of housing programs in place that help residents afford their monthly rent. For some residents, the name of the assistance may change (e.g., from public housing to Section 8).

We will discuss your individual circumstances in the upcoming months prior to any changes. But the bottom line is this: if you currently receive assistance, you will continue to receive assistance, and your rent will remain affordable to you.

Will I have to move out during the renovation project?
It depends. If the repairs planned at your property are small, you will most likely be able to stay in your home during renovation. There could be some days where you might need to be out of the unit for a few hours or the entire day. In those instances, a relocation team would assist you with plans for the day.

If the repairs planned at your property are more extensive, you will most likely need to be relocated for a short time. This could be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the scope of work. We will know the specifics before construction begins and share these with you well in advance of any planned moves.

If you are required to move during construction, we will coordinate the whole process at no cost to you. This includes hiring and paying movers, arranging a temporary place for you to stay nearby, and all other details. After construction is completed, you have a right to return to a comparable unit at your building. All efforts will be made to allow residents to return to their same unit, but there may be circumstances where that is not feasible. We will also take care of the entire process of moving you back into your unit when that time comes, again at no cost to you.

How can I participate in the planning process?
BHA is excited to partner with you, our residents, on this project. Our goal is to ensure you have high quality housing for decades to come. We will offer multiple opportunities to engage with our staff and partners throughout this process. In some cases, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also requires BHA to hold specific meetings regarding some of the units and how their rental assistance will change (e.g., from public housing to Section 8). BHA will meet with all residents to explain their individual circumstances in the upcoming months.

We anticipate holding multiple meetings with residents during the first half of 2024, to discuss plans for this project and to get your input. We also plan to have meetings with residents in the second half of 2024, to discuss the project schedule and scope, as well as any potential changes to lease and house rules, and relocations. However, there will be multiple opportunities to check in on the process throughout 2024 and 2025.

You will be notified well in advance of any meetings so that you can make plans to attend.

In addition to these resident meetings, your Resident Advisory Board (RAB) will be consulted and have an opportunity to make recommendations on BHA’s plans during the public hearing process.

What if I need accommodations to participate in the meetings?
BHA will ensure materials are available in accessible formats and that meetings are accessible for persons with disabilities. Language access is also important for BHA, and we will ensure that materials are translated and will provide interpreters for meetings, if needed.

What is the schedule for this project?
Because this project is such a large one, involving eight properties, the timeline will need to be somewhat flexible. If you’re a resident, you will be notified in advance of any events that affect you.

Below are the estimated dates for the major milestones (which are subject to change):

• Redevelopment planning (inspections, resident meetings, defining the scope of work): through 2024.
• Finalize redevelopment plan and close on financing: late 2024.
• Construction starts early: 2025.
• Construction and temporary relocations: through 2025 and 2026.

What changes will I see in my lease renewal process?
These renovations will ensure that all of these properties are affordable for decades to come. That means everyone in these buildings will need to be income qualified to live at these properties. BHA will go through an income certification process with all of our current residents before construction is finished. All residents will need to sign a new lease before reoccupying their units.

Who can I contact for more information?
If you have other questions about this project that are not answered above, you can also contact Brian Olson, Development Project Manager, at bolson@bremertonhousing.org or 360-616-7171.

We at Bremerton Housing Authority are excited about how these renovations will revitalize each property. We hope you’re excited as well!

Project Updates

This page will be updated frequently with the latest information about the repositioning project. The latest updates are at the top, with older updates below.

May 6, 2024, update: Workers will be on site at several properties this Thursday, May 9, to review exterior building components in preparation for next year’s construction work. They will be inspecting the siding at Casa del Sol; the decks at Tara Heights; the garage at the Winfield Apartments; and siding at Wright Court units 3205, 3209-3211, 3217, 3221-3223, and 3225.

The will also be inspecting the asphalt at Casa del Sol, Charter House, Shadow Creek, Winfield, and Wright Court.

April 12, 2024, update: Workers will be setting up kits for radon testing on Monday, April 15, inside several homes at Casa del Sol, Charter House, the Firs, Shadow Creek, Tamarack, Tara Heights, the Winfield, and Wright Court. They will also need to retrieve the test kits on Wednesday and Thursday, April 17 and 18. 

They will need access to some homes at each property, to ensure accurate testing.  

If your home is one that requires testing, your property manager will notify you. Thank you for your cooperation, as this testing is important for keeping you and other residents safe and healthy.

April 10, 2024, update: Workers are planning to be on site Monday, April 22, to do some attic and crawl space inspections at the Winfield Apartments, Charter House, The Firs, Shadow Creek, Tara Heights, and Wright Court. If your home is affected specifically, your property manager will reach out to you before the inspection.

April 1, 2024, update: Workers will be on site at four properties the week of April 15 to conduct some environmental testing. They will primarily be working outdoors and will not need access to individual homes. Please see the schedule below.

• Monday 4/15
  • 1752-23010-05 (The Firs)
    • Onsite to collect soil gas samples – anticipate exterior access only
  • 1752-23008-05 (Casa del Sol)
    • If time permits, may start sample collection at this site – indoor stairwell and garage access needed
• Tuesday 4/16
  • 1752-23009-05 (Charter House)
    • Onsite for geophysical survey – need access to the entire eastern parking lot area
  • 1752-23015-05 (Wright Court)
    • Onsite to collect surface soil samples
• Wednesday 4/17
  • 1752-23009-05 (Charter House)
    • Onsite with drill rig for subsurface investigation – need access to the entire eastern parking lot area
  • 1752-23008-05 (Casa del Sol)
    • Sample soil gas and subsurface soil/groundwater – indoor stairwell and garage access needed
• Thursday 4/18
  • Spillover day to finish any outstanding sample collection

March 14, 2024, update: Next week, on March 18, 19, and 21, workers will be visiting several properties to take photos and measurements in preparation for construction work that will happen later. Residents at each of the properties will hear from their property manager if workers need access to the inside of their homes.

Here is the expected schedule for these visits:

• Monday, March 18: The Firs, Shadow Creek, Tamarack
• Tuesday, March 19: The Winfield, Wright Court
• Thursday, March 21: Tara Heights

February 21, 2024, update: Workers will be visiting each of the properties over the next two weeks, to perform physical conditions assessments. They will conduct their inspections throughout the common areas and inside at least 30% of units. These inspections are needed so that we can estimate how long various structures and equipment are expected to last, and what it will take to replace them later. Below is the schedule for these inspections.

January 23, 2024, update: BHA plans to hold resident meetings on February 8 to discuss this project. Meetings will be held at each of the three senior citizen properties (for residents of those properties only) and at the Bremerton City Council chambers (for all other residents) at the following times:

• Tamarack at 1:00-2:00 p.m. (Tamarack residents only)
• Charter House at 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Charter House residents only)
• The Firs at 4:00-5:00 p.m. (Firs residents only)
• Bremerton City Council chambers at 5:30-6:30 p.m., on the main floor of the Norm Dicks Government Center, 345 6th Street, Bremerton WA 98337 (for all other residents)

January 22, 2024, update: Environmental inspectors will be visiting properties today through February 2. They will need access to a sampling of homes during this time. Your property manager will notify you if your home is selected for an inspection.

HUD Video and Resources

HUD has some great resources about the Rental Assistance Demonstration program (RAD), which helps provide funding for the public housing units involved in the BHA repositioning project, including this fact sheet which answers some of the most common questions residents have.

You can find an overview of the RAD program on the What is RAD page.

There are several fact sheets available about different aspects of the RAD program in English, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese, on the RAD Resident Fact Sheets page.

HUD also has a helpful video, below, that explains the basics of the RAD program and how it might affect you if you are a public housing resident.