Community Funded Journalism

Council for the Homeless consolidates staff under one roof in central Vancouver

After operating at two sites, nonprofit now in welcoming headquarters on Fourth Plain Boulevard

By Mia Ryder-Marks, Columbian staff reporter

Published: May 6, 2025, 6:10am

4 Photos

A sign for Council for the Homeless hangs above the front door of the organization’s new office in central Vancouver. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian) Photo Gallery

When Council for the Homeless operated out of two offices, leadership said it wasn’t uncommon for clients to show up at the wrong building. Those who had appointments at the Andresen Road location would often show up at the Main Street office, or vice versa.

“It impacted their time off work, their childcare, their gas money — just general stress and trauma while they’re trying to stabilize their housing or end their homelessness,” said Charlene Welch, the nonprofit’s chief advancement officer.

Now, for the first time in the nonprofit’s history, the organization — which offers homeless and housing services to Clark County — has brought all of its staff under one roof. The new headquarters at 7723 N.E. Fourth Plain Blvd., opened recently after years of operating in split locations.

The building’s interior was designed to feel welcoming, staff said.

“Even stopping at a location where you might be able to get water for free, like Wendy’s or something — it might be easy for us, but it’s not easy for folks who are unhoused,” said Sunny Wonder, Council for the Homeless’ chief operating officer. “To be able to offer something that is just reasserting the humanity of the folks that we’re working with is really important.”

The building wasn’t something the nonprofit had been actively looking for. The former owner decided he wanted the building to serve the greater community. When he was getting ready to sell, the owner reached out to the Vancouver Housing Authority, which then connected him with Council for the Homeless. A Firstenburg Foundation grant helped the nonprofit purchase the building.

“The building found us, which is a little bit cosmic,” Welch said.

The building sits next to the Pacific and Meridian apartments, two permanent supportive housing sites run by the Vancouver Housing Authority. In recent years, the apartments attracted drug trafficking and criminal activity linked to nonresidents, which threatened the stability of tenants.

“When we knew we were moving into the neighborhood, there were already concerns around the Pacific and the Meridian,” Welch said.

The Vancouver Housing Authority worked to curb criminal activity by tightening security, increasing lease enforcement and other security measures. Council for the Homeless collaborated with VHA and the city of Vancouver to address those concerns.

When the move was first announced, some Ogden residents contacted The Columbian to share concerns that the nonprofit’s presence might bring back unwanted activities. But Council for the Homeless staff said they believe the agency’s presence will be an asset for the community and connect more people to resources.

“We see ourselves as part of the community. We’re caring for our neighbors, and we take being a good neighbor seriously,” Wonder said. “We know there are people here who need our services, and we know it’s really important to think about how we’re showing up for people that are housed and unhoused.”

This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation. Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj.

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