More than a year ago, Open House Ministries staff stood on an empty lot across from the nonprofit shelter to envision what the barren space could become.
Chaplain Jon Nichols urged the group to look beyond what they saw in front of them — a chain-link fence and gravel choked with weeds — to imagine a place where families could find hope and healing.
On Monday morning, Open House Ministries celebrated the realization of that vision: an affordable housing complex for families called OHM West at 1212 Jefferson St., Vancouver. More than 100 people attended the ribbon-cutting event and took tours of the building.
“It feels like Christmas morning,” said Mindy Chumbley, president of Open House Ministries’ board of directors.
The building’s 30 units are aimed at those graduating from Open House Ministries’ shelter. It also houses the nonprofit’s vocational training enterprises. Open House Ministries’ thrift store, bicycle shop and cafe moved from the shelter across the street.
Nichols challenged visitors to see not just the building but the difference it will make.
“I want you to see where someone will get their very first job, discover their own worth and realize for the very first time that they have something meaningful to offer the world,” he said.
Fresh start
Families living in the new apartment building will work and pay rent but also receive support from Open House Ministries’ case managers and programs.
“Being able to walk residents over and show them the apartments and watching their face light up — talk about dignity,” said Renee Stevens, Open House Ministries’ executive director.
The four-story, 41,650-square-foot building includes a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, with storage in the basement. Apartments include in-unit washers and dryers.
OHM West will set aside 11 units for those making 35 percent of Vancouver’s median household income and 14 units for those at 50 percent. (With Vancouver’s median household income at $73,626, 35 percent would be $25,769 and 50 percent would be $36,813.)
A studio will rent at $772 if a tenant’s income falls below 35 percent of the median, and a three-bedroom will go for $1,074. For someone making 50 percent of the median income, apartments will range from $1,032 to $1,534. Five units will go for below market rate, which averages $1,100 for a studio apartment in Vancouver.
According to Council for the Homeless data, out of the 8,752 people who were homeless in Clark County last year, 30 percent were children. More than 1,840 children who experienced homelessness last year were 11 years old or younger.
“The homeless crisis in our community and dealing with homelessness is a high priority for the city,” Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle said. “That’s why we embrace moments like this — when we know that more people can come inside and are being given the opportunity to exit homelessness and also to avoid the possibility of becoming homeless.”
