OHM West Frequently Asked Questions
Will OHM residents receive housing vouchers to help with their rent?
Not all of our residents qualify for a voucher. Housing vouchers are given through the Vancouver Housing Authority, and currently there is a waitlist to receive a voucher. While some vouchers are designated for homeless families, availability is limited. Further, there are many low-income families holding vouchers they can’t use because there are so few affordable apartments available. Less than 4% of the apartments in Vancouver are available for $750-$1000 per month according to Zumper.com. OHM West rents will be substantially below market rates as household rents will be set according to each family’s income.
Why is it so important to build OHM West on the Open House Ministries Campus?
It takes our families around six to nine months to go through our initial program. This can include getting a GED, taking parenting classes, and acquiring basic training for budgeting, stability, and more. Residents attend chapel and faith classes, receive job training and placement assistance. They live in our family shelter during this time. When families are ready to move into independent living situations, we have some apartments available at Fruit Valley Commons and Pinewood Terrace Apartments at affordable rates. The addition of on-campus bridge housing will allow families to work through barriers while taking the next step into independent living. Families living at OHM West will also have access to the OHM program and resources. Since 1981, financial experts have suggested that families should spend about 30% of their gross income on housing.
How does that compare to what low-income workers can afford?
One-Bedroom Rent of $1,300 requires an annual income of $52,000 a year, or $4,333.33 per month, or $1,000 a week, or $25 per hour for a 40 hours/per work week basis for a single parent family.
Two-Bedroom Rent of $1,595 requires an annual income of $63,850 a year, or $5,316.67 per month, or $1,227 a week, or $30.67 per hour for a 40 hours/per work week basis for a single parent family.
Three Bedroom Rent of $2,081 requires an annual income of $83,240 a year, or $6,936.67 per month, or $1,600 a week, or $40 per hour on a 40 hours/per work week basis for a single parent family.
How and when did Open House Ministries start?
Joanne Kendall, the honorary co-chair of the capital campaign, and her husband were members of a Bible study group who met in Esther Short Park. They became aware of the growing number of people who were homeless and gathering in the park. In particular, they were touched by the number of mothers who were sleeping in their cars with their children. The group began by offering food, clothing and diapers to those people in need. In 1986 their efforts turned into leasing a boarding house with ten rooms, sheltering up to 25 adults and children. Today, the OHM Kendall House provides 34 studio apartments for families.
What is OHM’s annual budget and how are they funded?
OHM’s operating budget is approximately $1.6 million. Income is predominately derived from individual contributions, including business and church donations, as well as corporate and foundation grants, and fundraising events. In FY 2019-2020, 69 families were served, including 83 adults and 77 children which totaled 56,073 bed nights in the shelter. Even with the pandemic, 385 volunteers donated 13,458 hours of service. Working with more than 12 local partners, OHM was able to leverage even more resources.
How serious is homelessness for families in Clark County?
In 2020, 1,245 families were homeless, according to the Council for the Homeless’ Point in Time count. This included 925 families with children and 320 couples. 65% of those families (800) were newly homeless and only 16% or 200 families actually obtained permanent shelter. Homelessness for families in Clark County is a very serious issue.
Revised January 2022