NAVAL BASE KITSAP, Wash. — Around 40 families living on Naval Base Kitsap are now looking for new housing. This is because some non-active duty families were told their leases would not be renewed due to new active duty families moving to the base.
Leaders at the base said they gave at least 60 days' notice that people will need to move out, but families impacted said that is not enough time to prepare and they wish they had more notice.
“I came home on a Friday about two weeks ago and had a notice on my door that they were not renewing our leases,” said one woman who lives on base.
She has lived on base for around three years and is part of a retired military family. Now, she and her family have around 60 days to find a new place to live.
“I've already looked at three or four houses, and we're scrambling to find something to move into and do it as quickly as possible,” she said.
She said rent is high, housing in the area is limited, and some people are on fixed incomes who are being impacted.
Leaders at the base said new active-duty members are coming and need housing.
“I get why the base is doing it; I understand,” she said. "I just wish we all had a little bit more notice to find something instead of scrambling.”
Captain John Hale, the commanding officer of Naval Base Kitsap, said this impacts around 2.5% of all homes on base and about 10 to 15% of non-active duty families.
“In accordance with Washington state law, they get at least a 60-day notice that their leases won't be renewed,” said Captain Hale. “We certainly appreciate the inconvenience of that. We're focused on our support to the active-duty family members, those who the Navy has ordered here, and they need to find a place to live.”
He said housing is run by a public-private partnership and that non-active duty families are only allowed to live there if fewer than 95% of homes are filled by active duty families.
He said there have been housing vacancies on base for quite some time, but now that is changing.
“As the demand signal from active duty starts to increase above 95%, they will have to start not renewing leases, no evictions, but they will not renew expiring leases,” said Captain Hale.
Families said they hope the base can find a way to give more notice in the future so people have more time to prepare.
“I get it’s housing for active duty and it's been a blessing that we've been able to live there, but give us more notice so that people can find things,” said the woman.
The commanding officer said if there are special circumstances, families can appeal. He also said the Navy Family Housing Office can help with some relocation needs.