Kitsap Rescue Mission set to lose permit to operate overnight shelter

[icymist]

BREMERTON — Kitsap County’s only year-round, overnight homeless shelter could close, at least temporarily, next month.

Kitsap Rescue Mission will be without a space to run its overnight shelter service by Oct. 13 because its current building is not up to fire code, according to an announcement by the nonprofit on Wednesday.

"We just need to find temporary accommodations," said Nancy Olsten, Kitsap Rescue Mission interim executive director.

The Rescue Mission, which has 26 beds, has been operating under a temporary permit during renovations to its building on Sixth Street in downtown Bremerton. But that permit is set to expire because of concerns about fire safety and will not be renewed until the building is brought up to code, according to the announcement.

The building needs a sprinkler system, which is around $200,000. But before the sprinkler can be installed, the shelter has to undergo a $400,000 roof replacement.

https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2019/09/18/kitsap-rescue-mission-loses-permit-operate-overnight-shelter/2370052001/

[RainCaster]

1. That's sad...

I had been a part of the group who started this project about 28 years ago. I stoked to see that they have more than 20 beds now, but saddened by the current state of their resources. I hope they can find a better alternative.