Open House Ministries (OHM), a nonprofit organization in Vancouver, has been granted $1 million by the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to develop a new affordable housing project. The funds will be used to create OHM West, a 30-unit apartment complex in downtown Vancouver. The goal is to start accommodating families in need by the spring of 2024.
In response to the affordable housing challenges faced by residents in Vancouver, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has begun construction on a four-story building at 1212 Jefferson St. The facility will provide housing options for families transitioning from Open House Ministries’ family shelter. The complex will consist of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. Additionally, the ground floor will house the Secondhand Solutions Thrift Store and Wheel Deals Bicycle Shop, which will provide vocational training opportunities to residents.
Vancouver’s Commitment to Affordable Housing
Vancouver’s housing program manager, Samantha Whitley, highlights the importance of the Affordable Housing Fund in addressing the need for affordable housing and preventing homelessness. Organizations have the flexibility to use the funds for rental assistance, establishing housing shelters, and offering other housing-related services. In the past five years, the funds have facilitated the construction or preservation of 1,064 affordable housing units and provided rental aid or services to 1,654 households.
The new affordable housing units will be located near the Open House Ministries campus, providing residents with convenient access to a range of services, including case management, parenting classes, educational activities, and chapel services. Open House Ministries believes that ongoing support for families after leaving the shelter significantly enhances their chances of long-term success.
Rudy Carrasco, a program director at the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, commends Open House Ministries for their commitment and actions in addressing affordable housing in Vancouver. The organization has been leading this mission for almost four decades.
