East Bremerton shelter organizers to try residential permits

Published 5:00 pm Friday, November 12, 2010

The future of the temporary homeless shelter planned for the two-and-a-half acre property at the end of Bowen Street in East Bremerton remains unknown, but the owner is still trying.

After a meeting two weeks ago with the county’s Department of Community Development, Joel Adamson was told that no permits exist for his type of temporary encampment and that the only way to move forward would be to apply for a residential building permit.

So Adamson said Wednesday he is planning to apply for the residential building permit.

“The fees are the road block,” Adamson said of the thousands of dollars he would have to pay for the application fees. He is hoping the county will waive the fees.

“I’m volunteering all my time for this and we are dependent on the county cooperating with us,” said Adamson. “We’re hoping the homeless problem does not get worse before the county acts.”

Adamson has been in talks with a lawyer but has no current plans on taking the county to court because it would prolong getting shelter setup for the homeless.

Last week Bremerton Rescue Mission announced that it has removed itself from partnering with Adamson on the project. The nonprofit’s letter stated the project would strain its budget and that it need to focus on current programs of providing meals to those in need.

But despite the mission’s removal, another nonprofit, One Church One Family, has stepped in to assist Adamson. One Church One Family already works with Kitsap Community Resources to help local homeless find emergency shelter.

“This wasn’t our original plan, but we’re in a crisis mode,” said Rick Best, executive director of One Church One Family, adding that over 130 families are still on a Kitsap Community Resources waiting list for shelter.