Children’s laughter and squeals drifted from a courtyard at the Open House Ministries campus in Vancouver’s Esther Short neighborhood Wednesday.
Soon, those sounds will extend across the street to the nonprofit’s new apartment building, OHM West, at 1212 Jefferson St. The affordable, mixed-use apartment building, expected to open this fall, will house families graduating from the faith-based nonprofit’s shelter. The 30 units will help families experience more independent living and open up more shelter space, staff said.
The need is there. According to this year’s Point-in-Time Count, an annual head count of Clark County’s homeless population, the number of families living outside with children increased by 44 percent, with 19 more families in 2024 than in 2023.
“When residents finish the OHM program, they help the community by opening up space in the OHM Shelter for families needing to be housed,” said Renee Stevens, executive director of the nonprofit. “The community also benefits by having a practical ‘next step’ for families getting back on their feet and working toward stable futures.”
New vision
The new four-story, 41,650-square-foot building will include a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Apartments will include in-unit washers and dryers, with storage units in the basement for its tenants.
On the first floor, the building will also house the Open Housing Ministries thrift store and bicycle shop. As part of a city project to reconfigure the nearby intersections, the building that currently houses the two shops will be demolished.
The city of Vancouver is brainstorming ways to realign the spot where Kauffman Avenue jogs and becomes Jefferson Street. The realignment project will make it easier for larger vehicles to navigate, and will turn Kauffman-Jefferson into a three-lane street with bike lanes, sidewalks and on-street parking.
Community focused
Families residing at OHM West will work and pay rent. Tenants will be supported by case managers and programs offered by Open House Ministries.
Apartments will rent at below market rates.
“We look at each family individually and see where they’re at in their process of becoming independent,” said Jean LaCrosse, Open House Ministries’ donor relations officer. “The concept is that they will move into OHM West and build up some rental history.”
Open House Ministries raised money for the project through its Project Cornerstone Capital campaign, which has received community support, including a donation from M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust last year.
Robertson & Olson Construction is leading the OHM West project.
“Having studios all the way up to three bedrooms, that helps a family in need get back on their feet,” said Robert Baird, the project’s supervisor. “That makes all the difference.”
Baird said Robertson & Olson hired local subcontractors so the project would continue to flourish in the community. He said that’s one way the community can help alleviate the current housing crisis.
“We have to stick together,” Baird said.
