City of Bremerton Pledges More Funding to Expand Bremerton COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program 

Due to impacts caused by the coronavirus, Mayor Greg Wheeler committed $263,000 in additional funds today to the Bremerton COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program.  

More funding for rental assistance is coming out of the CARES Act Federal Stimulus package provided to the City in response to the coronavirus. The funds pledged to the rental assistance program are subject to City Council approval.

With challenges being felt across Bremerton, Mayor Wheeler immediately directed staff to seek permission from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to use stimulus dollars to help with rent and other payments. After review, HUD granted the City authority to access the fiscal stimulus money for housing needs due to the pandemic. 

Council members are set to vote on the distribution of CARES Act funds to the Bremerton rental assistance program at the April 15, 2020 meeting. 

“The City is currently providing rental assistance due to COVID-19, and the short-term financial support will give relief to more residents who are facing hardship and uncertainty due to the public health emergency,” said Mayor Wheeler. “By making this investment available, and if approved by the Council, it will help ease concerns of residents who are not able to make some rental payments as a result of the coronavirus.”

The City of Bremerton previously budgeted $100,000 this year for rental assistance and the Bremerton Housing Authority also contributed $100,000 to the program. 

The City is holding a public comment period on the proposed use of the federal funds from April 10 to April 15, 2020. Comments can be sent to Sarah Achaoui, CDBG Administrator, 360-473-5375 or sarah.achaoui@ci.bremerton.wa.us.

The Bremerton Housing Authority administers the Bremerton COVID-19 Rental Assistance program. For details and income eligibility, please visit the Bremerton Housing Authority website at www.bremertonhousing.org.