Nordic Cottage Project Moving Forward—Awarded State Funding. There is, at the moment, no short term, deeply affordable housing in Poulsbo for individuals experiencing crisis and displacement. The City of Poulsbo’s Affordable Housing Task Force recognized the pressing need for transitional housing in its final report to Council and recommended that the City’s affordable housing tax funds be prioritized for this purpose. The Poulsbo City Council accepted these recommendations in February 2020, and, later in the year, allocated land at 609 NE Lincoln (“the triangle”) for affordable housing purposes. The City is currently working with Housing Kitsap and Coates Design to develop three two-level Nordic Cottages on the triangle and the Department of Commerce has awarded us $240,000 toward the project. There will be a City Council workshop May 18 with presentations from Housing Kitsap, architect Matthew Coates, and City staff working on this effort.

Calling Good Samaritans. Anyone interested in helping with a new initiative matching seniors with volunteers in the Poulsbo area? We'd like to see a "senior corps" established, in the next few months, to help our 65+ neighbors with companionship, transportation, and errands. Contact Kim at the City of Poulsbo’s Housing, Health and Human Services department to sign up or for more information via email to kimberlyh@cityofpoulsbo.com.

Welcome Julie! Housing, Health and Human Services welcomes Community Support Specialist Julie to the Poulsbo Fire CARES team. Fire CARES is a partnership between Poulsbo Fire and the City of Poulsbo that provides assistance to people struggling with mental health and substance use issues. Julie’s extensive background in social work and child and family services makes her a great fit for the team. More info about her, and the CARES program, here: https://cityofpoulsbo.com/poulsbo-fire-cares/

2024 Comprehensive Plan Update. This month, planning and economic development staff begins the process of taking the comprehensive plan elements for review and recommendation to the planning commission as part of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update. The planning commission and city council completed their growth target discussions in March and the planning commission will begin their review of Chapter 1, Vision and Guiding Principles in May. There are a total of seven elements tentatively scheduled for discussion in the remaining months of the year that will ultimately go before the city council for adoption ahead of the December 31, 2024 adoption deadline. 

The Economic Development chapter is slated to go before the planning commission in July and the Planning and Economic Director, Heather Wright wants to hear from you. The chapter provides a policy framework that identifies how the community can retain successful businesses while pursuing future economic development opportunities. Heather is dedicating each Friday in May to meeting with local business owners and organizations. If you are interested in sharing your thoughts, please contact her at hwright@cityofpoulsbo.com or at 360-394-9731. 

HAPI Grant. The Planning and Economic Development department is pleased to announce that they are slated to receive a $75,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce (DOC) to implement strategies adopted from the Housing Action Plan. The strategies are intended to increase housing production and choices available to better meet the diverse needs of Poulsbo residents and reduce displacement and barriers. The city received $40,000 from DOC in 2021 to assist with the development of the plan. The city’s early action to focus on housing needs is foundational to identifying the land use strategy for the 2024 Comprehensive Plan update. 

Please view PED Department's monthly updates *May is set for Friday, 5/6/22 release: PED Spotlight

(Find it under the 5th tab to the right, as depicted below)

The City of Poulsbo is currently hiring for the following positions:

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