What the Bremerton Housing Authority does

The Bremerton Housing Authority (BHA) is a public agency that manages public housing and rental vouchers in Bremerton, Washington. It does not run programs for the entire state — it serves only Bremerton and a small surrounding area. The Authority owns and operates apartment buildings, manages the Section 8 voucher program for the region, and handles waitlists for both.

The BHA is separate from the city government, though it works with city agencies. It receives federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and uses that money to subsidize rent for low-income households. If you live in Bremerton and need affordable housing, the BHA is usually your first stop — not a private landlord or a state office.

The Authority's main job is to match people with housing and vouchers based on income, family size, and how long they have been waiting. It does not decide who is poor enough or who deserves help — HUD sets those rules. The BHA follows them and keeps the waitlists moving.

Key Takeaways

  • The Bremerton Housing Authority manages public housing apartments and Section 8 vouchers only in Bremerton and the when ready area, not statewide.
  • Both public housing and Section 8 vouchers have separate waitlists, and both are usually closed to new applicants because demand exceeds available units.
  • Income limits vary by family size and change yearly; a family of four in Bremerton typically cannot earn more than roughly $50,000 to $55,000 annually, though this figure shifts.
  • You must contact the BHA directly by phone or in person to learn whether a waitlist is open and what documents you need to bring.
  • Once you are on a waitlist, the wait can be several years, and the Authority will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available.

Public housing apartments managed by the BHA

The Bremerton Housing Authority owns and operates apartment complexes throughout Bremerton. These are not luxury buildings — they are modest, older structures maintained to meet HUD standards. Rent is set at 30 percent of your household income, so the lower your income, the lower your rent. The Authority pays the difference between what you pay and the actual cost to run the building.

To live in BHA public housing, you must be on the waitlist and meet income limits. A single person's income must fall below a certain threshold; a family of four must earn less than another threshold. These limits change each year and depend on the area's median income. You can call the BHA to ask the current limit for your household size.

The waitlist for public housing in Bremerton is typically closed. When it opens, the Authority announces it through local media and on its website. Once you are on the list, you wait for a unit to become available. Wait times range from one to five years or longer, depending on the size of unit you need and how many people are ahead of you.

Section 8 vouchers and how they work

A Section 8 voucher is a subsidy that lets you rent from any private landlord in the Bremerton area, rather than living in a BHA-owned building. You find the apartment yourself, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and the BHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the rest — usually 30 percent of your income.

The voucher program gives you more choice than public housing because you are not limited to BHA buildings. However, the landlord must agree to participate, and not all landlords do. Some refuse vouchers because of paperwork, inspection requirements, or other reasons. You will need to search for a landlord willing to work with the program.

The Section 8 waitlist is also typically closed in Bremerton. When it opens, the process is the same: you explore, get on the list, and wait. Once you receive a voucher, you have a limited time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find an apartment. If you do not find one in that window, you may lose the voucher.

Income limits and household size

The BHA uses area median income (AMI) to set income limits. HUD calculates AMI for the Bremerton area each year, and the Authority uses a percentage of that figure — usually 50 percent or 60 percent — to determine who can be on the waitlist. A single person might have a limit of $35,000 to $40,000 annually; a family of four might have a limit of $50,000 to $55,000. These numbers change yearly and vary by family composition.

Income includes wages, Social Security, disability payments, child support, and other regular money coming in. It does not include one-time payments like tax refunds or insurance settlements. The BHA will ask you to document your income with recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters.

If your income is above the limit, you cannot be on the waitlist. If your income rises after you are on the list, you may stay on it, but once you are housed, your rent will increase as your income increases. Call the BHA to confirm the current income limit for your household size.

How to contact the Bremerton Housing Authority

The BHA has a main office in Bremerton where you can explore in person or call to ask questions. You can also visit their website to check whether waitlists are open and to read process forms. The Authority does not accept applications by mail for initial intake — you must explore in person or by phone.

When you call or visit, ask whether the public housing waitlist and the Section 8 waitlist are currently open. If they are closed, ask when they are expected to reopen. The Authority can tell you what documents to bring: usually a photo ID, proof of income, proof of residency in the Bremerton area, and Social Security numbers for all household members.

The BHA office hours and phone number are listed on its website. If you cannot reach them by phone, visiting in person is often faster. Bring all documents with you so you can complete the process the same day if the waitlist is open.

Waitlist status and how long you wait

Once you are on a BHA waitlist, you are ranked by date of process and sometimes by other factors like family size or disability status. The Authority contacts applicants in order as units or vouchers become available. You do not need to do anything while you wait — the BHA will reach out to you when it is your turn.

Wait times vary widely. In Bremerton, public housing waitlists can be two to five years or longer. Section 8 waitlists are sometimes shorter, sometimes longer, depending on how many vouchers are available and how many people are ahead of you. Some people wait only a few months; others wait years.

If your contact information changes, you must notify the BHA so they can reach you. If you move out of the Bremerton area, you may be removed from the waitlist. If you no longer want to be on the list, you can ask to be removed at any time.

What happens after you are offered housing or a voucher

When the BHA contacts you, you will have a limited time to accept the offer — usually 24 to 48 hours. If you do not respond, the Authority may move to the next person on the list. If you accept, you will be scheduled for an orientation and to sign a lease (for public housing) or to receive your voucher packet (for Section 8).

For public housing, you will sign a lease with the BHA and move into a BHA-owned apartment. Your rent is 30 percent of your income. You must follow lease rules, which include keeping the apartment in good condition and reporting any maintenance problems.

For Section 8, you will receive a voucher and have 60 to 120 days to find an apartment. The landlord must pass a BHA inspection, and the rent cannot exceed the program's payment standard for your area. Once you move in, the BHA pays the landlord directly each month, and you pay your share.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on both the public housing waitlist and the Section 8 waitlist at the same time?

Yes. The two programs have separate waitlists, and you can be on both. If you are offered housing or a voucher from one program, you can usually stay on the other list in case something becomes available later. Ask the BHA to confirm their policy when you explore.

What if I have an eviction on my record?

An eviction does not automatically disqualify you, but the BHA will review it. Some evictions are considered more serious than others. Contact the Authority directly to discuss your situation; they can tell you whether your record will affect your chances of being housed.

Do I have to live in Bremerton to be on the waitlist?

You must live or work in the Bremerton area to be on the BHA waitlist. The exact residency requirement varies by program. Call the Authority to confirm whether you meet the residency rule for your situation.

What if the waitlist is closed when I want to explore?

You will have to wait until it reopens. The BHA announces openings on its website and through local media. You can call periodically to ask when the list might reopen, but there is no way to may provide a spot — you must explore during the open period.

Can I transfer to a different apartment if I am already in BHA public housing?

Yes, but you will be placed on a transfer list and may wait for an available unit. Transfers are usually lower priority than new applicants. Ask your BHA case manager about the transfer process and typical wait times.