Housing, Health and Human Services Department

The Housing, Health and Human Services Department considers matters related to the health and well being of Poulsbo residents, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations. The Department was added to the City in 2020 as a way to strengthen the City’s social safety net and improve services to residents. The Department supports programs and partnerships that address four community needs:

• Affordable and emergency housing
• Low barrier behavioral health services (mental health, substance use disorders)
• Public health and equitable access to health services (much of our work, during the pandemic, involved COVID-related assistance and response) 
• Services for individuals with low and limited income across age groups, with a focus on vulnerable seniors.

The Department does not provide direct social services. It funds, promotes, and enhances the work of other departments, agencies, and nonprofits. It works with partners to understand current and emerging human service needs–and find new opportunities to address them.

The Housing, Health and Human Services Department works with the Poulsbo Police Department to support the Police Navigator program, which pairs police with a behavioral health specialist to follow up to calls involving behavioral health issues. The department also provides project assistance for Poulsbo Fire CARES and Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue CARES. These CARES programs are City/Fire Department initiatives providing behavioral health assistance in the field in North and Central Kitsap. More information an be found by clicking here. In fall 2023, the Department will work with partners to launch a Recovery Resource Center.  Kitsap Sun coverage here.

Finally, the Department partners with AMFM Healthcare Services to staff a Senior Specialist position. Senior Specialist Eric works with both Fire CARES programs to help older adults find social, health-related, and educational resources, and holds weekly office hours, at the City’s parks and Rec Building, to answer questions about services in our area. Eric has been a Poulsbo resident, on and off, for 50 years, helped Kitsap residents through his work with Visiting Angels, and has written a book, with his wife, about caring for people with dementia.  

HELPFUL LINKS AND NUMBERS:

Experiencing a behavioral health crisis? Feelings of despair? Dial 988 to talk to trained mental health professionals, 24/7, or Kitsap County’s crisis line to request field based assistance 888 910 0416.  

Washington 211 is a great resource to find community resources. Dial 211 or click here.

Individuals looking for food, employment, rental, and utility assistance are encouraged to call client services at Fishline 360-779-5190. Hot and nutritious meals, served to-go, are available at Gateway Church on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Saturdays of each month at 11:30 a.m.

In need of assistance? Click to enlarge and print our Poulsbo Community Resource suggestions

Please call Housing, Health and Human Services Director Kim Hendrickson for information about other local agencies, programs, and services.

Contact:

Housing, Health and Human Services Department
Director: Kim Hendrickson
200 NE Moe St. – 3rd Floor
Poulsbo, WA 98370

Phone: (360) 394-9794
Email: kimberlyh@cityofpoulsbo.com

Administrative Assistant: Jennifer Pettigrew
200 NE Moe St. – 3rd Floor
Poulsbo, WA 98370

Phone: (360) 394-9795
Email: jpettigrew@cityofpoulsbo.com