Naval Base Kitsap opened a 152-room unaccompanied housing unit in April 2026. (NAVFAC Northwest)
BREMERTON, Wash. — A Navy-wide drive to ensure sailors don’t have to live aboard ship or in floating dorms when in port received a boost this month at Naval Base Kitsap with the opening of a 152-room unaccompanied housing unit.
The work wrapped April 6, with only some furnishings still to be moved into the 304-bed project.
The fast-track, full-scale renovation of the 10-story building followed fire and water damage to the original structure in August 2025.
Estimated timelines for repairing and reopening the building ranged into years, the Navy said in a statement. The project was pushed through an accelerated timeline of seven months from start to finish.
“Our top priority is the welfare of our sailors, and getting them out of their racks on the ship and into modern, comfortable housing is absolutely critical to their mission readiness,” said Naval Base Kitsap commanding officer Capt. Alex Baerg.
The project is part of the Navy’s “No Sailor Lives Afloat” initiative officially announced in February. It aims to improve the quality of life of service members by moving as many sailors as possible into base housing.
Navy studies have shown higher levels of stress and lower morale when service members must live aboard ship or in floating dorms, particularly during protracted shipyard maintenance periods.
A Navy investigation in 2023 linked poor housing conditions aboard the carrier USS George Washington while under maintenance at a Newport News, Va., shipyard to suicides among crew.
Since the initiative was launched, the Navy says more than 4,500 sailors have been moved off ships and floating dorms and into base housing.
“When our ships are in port, our sailors should be able to rest, recover and reconnect in safe and modern housing ashore,” Adm. Daryl Caudle, chief of naval operations, said in a February statement.
Capt. Preston Taylor, NAVFAC Northwest commanding officer, credited strong communication between contractors and Navy facilities staff with the early opening of the Bremerton housing units.
Navy staff expedited the November 2025 contract award and the contractor earned a bonus for completing work four weeks ahead of schedule, according to NAVFAC Northwest.
The renovations include lounge areas and a room with large overstuffed chairs.
“This project is a huge win for our sailors,” Taylor said.
