The Bremerton Housing Authority has acquired a newly constructed 24-unit apartment complex in efforts to provide stable housing for families in the Bremerton School District experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

Wheaton Landing, located at 3256 Wheaton Way in East Bremerton, was officially acquired Feb. 21. The project is part of a broader initiative to support vulnerable families through long-term housing paired with wraparound services. The complex includes 24 two-bedroom, two-bathroom units and two commercial spaces, which will be used to support on-site services and property staff. Each residential unit features a private outdoor area, as well as in-unit washing machines and dryers.

Per the Bremerton School District, 210 students, representing 5.1 percent of the district’s total enrollment, are currently living in unstable housing situations. District leaders emphasize that stable housing is one of the most essential supports for student success.

The project was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 24 attended by community leaders, including interim BSD superintendent Donna Dearin-Colosky. Enterprise Community Partners, a national nonprofit focused on community development, has accepted Wheaton Landing into its national program and will co-lead implementation efforts with Kitsap Strong. Project partners include BHA, BSD, Kitsap County, the city of Bremerton, and the Kitsap County Affordable Housing Consortium.

Wheaton Landing adds to BHA’s list of housing that addresses homelessness in Kitsap. These include Kitsap Mental Health Services’ Pendleton Place, which provides permanent supportive housing for 72 chronically homeless individuals, and BHA’s Evergreen Bright Start, the county’s first housing complex for young adults ages 18 to 24 who are exiting foster care or facing housing instability.

Enterprise will lead efforts to establish best practices for tenant selection, operations, and services, and will develop key data metrics to track and evaluate outcomes.

“I believe this is an incredible opportunity for our city and county,” said BHA executive director Jill Stanton. “We take seriously our mandate to address local needs with our federal resources and believe this local solution to ending homelessness for children is our most viable path forward. We know housing is only a portion of what is needed for success and are grateful for the dedicated stakeholders involved in making this new project possible.”

The acquisition of Wheaton Landing was made possible through multiple funding sources. BHA received an assumable loan from Global Credit Union, marking the first time the financial institution has partnered with a public housing authority anywhere in the country. Additional funding came from Community Investments in Affordable Housing and HOME funds, along with local support from Kitsap County and the city of Bremerton.

Restricted funds from the 2015 redevelopment of West Park also contributed to the purchase, along with ongoing rental assistance through U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development programs such as Housing Choice Vouchers.