Port Orchard homeless shelter wins national award

Published 1:30 am Monday, July 27, 2026

Kitsap County was recently recognized by the National Association of Counties with a 2026 Achievement Award for the Pacific Building Housing Navigation Center in Port Orchard. The annual awards program honors innovative and effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents, a news release says.

Kitsap County Commissioner for District 3, Katie Walters, accepted the award July 20 on behalf of Kitsap County at the National Association of Counties Annual Meeting. The Pacific Building Housing Navigation Center is a 75-bed, 24/7 continuous-stay, low-barrier emergency shelter serving individuals, couples, families, and their pets experiencing chronic homelessness. Unlike traditional night-by-night shelters, the center integrates on-site behavioral health care, medical services, housing navigation, employment support, and pet co-sheltering into a single coordinated facility, per the release.

Since opening in January 2025, the center has served 198 individuals and 17 pets, with 72 residents exiting to permanent housing and 26 securing employment.

“We are pleased and honored to be recognized by the National Association of Counties for the Pacific Building Housing Navigation Center,” said Walters. “It’s really a testament to our staff, our partners, and the volunteers who come in every day to support our guests. We’re also extremely proud of our past guests who have gone on to secure permanent housing within our community, once again showing that the center’s work is meaningful and impactful to our community.”

Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program recognizes county government innovations. Awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services that counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement, and many more, the release says.