Family Housing

Our housing program is unique in that families can stay together in our homes. It’s often the case in local shelter models that family members are separated, including parents and children. We offer the only short-term housing in Whatcom County for all types of struggling families to live together. Case management services are an integral part of Interfaith’s housing program. Families meet regularly with case managers to work on goals that will lead to self-sufficiency and permanent housing.

Working Together Toward Success

Disciples Houses

We manage Disciples House in partnership with First Christian Church. This house was slated for demolition in order to build an apartment complex on the property. A member of First Christian Church contacted the home owner to see if it could be re-purposed, and it was subsequently moved to church property. Volunteers from a dozen congregations and community groups renovated the home, which is a true ministry of this church.

It was amazing. We now had a safe place to live and people we could trust. My family was happy there and it helped my husband and me rebuild our self-esteem, recharge our batteries and start over. —Interfaith Housing guest

Ferndale House

We embarked on a partnership with the City of Ferndale, offering an additional transitional home, Ferndale House, for families needing shelter in that city.

When the City of Ferndale acquired a house sitting on land that would be needed for long-term transportation projects, it reached out to Interfaith Coalition to offer the home in the short term to the coalition’s housing program. The City worked with us when we created the Our House triplex (see below) and knew of our success in helping families achieve self-sufficiency. The City shares a goal with us: to keep families in their hometown and children in the same schools.

Volunteers from Interfaith Coalition congregations and other supporters have refurbished the home, and it welcomed its first family in Spring 2017. Now, Interfaith Coalition is able to provide transitional housing to families who will live in this home for about one year at a reduced rental rate and receive case management with the goal of moving into their own home after they gain stability.

We have four units of housing in the Ferndale area, including a triplex, for struggling families. These are the only housing options for homeless families in Ferndale.

Homelessness takes a toll. There’s the nitty gritty of where we are going to be and the emotional stress of others seeing us as terrible people since we can’t pay our bills. Even being in this Interfaith house a short time, we were able to catch our breath. —Interfaith Housing guest and mother

Interfaith Homes

Another model includes eight Interfaith Homes under the ownership of Interfaith Coalition: A fourplex, a single-family home called Little House and a triplex called Our House in Ferndale.

Interfaith’s move into housing for families began in 1993, when we purchased a single-family house on a large lot in Bellingham and built a four-unit apartment building to fill a need for transitional housing.

Transitional housing is longer-term housing, with an average stay of about one year. This serves families who need additional time and support. Many are returning to school to increase their skills. Interfaith hires one of the tenants to take care of the property.

Interfaith saved me. Having a home of our own was huge. I’ve always been a together, organized person, but things happen. People can be brought down. The help I got was key. It was God’s hand in things. Living here has brought faith to my life. —Interfaith Housing guest

Little House

Interfaith’s first single-family home, Little House, was renovated and readied for families in 1994. Today Congregation Beth Israel provides all the turn-around activities that happen when one family moves out and a new one moves in. Little House is available for short-term, emergency housing.

I reached out for help and I didn’t get rejected. You took my hand and promised you would not let go. You gave me shelter, safety, food, blessing and your heart. Thank you. To think people have cared enough to give us a home, food, time, love. — Interfaith Housing guest

Our House

The Our House triplex offers homeless families in Ferndale a place to stay in their own community. Through the generosity of more than 600 donors to our community-wide fundraising campaign in 2012, we created the triplex. Volunteers from Ferndale area congregations, Christ Lutheran Church, St. Joseph Catholic, United Church of Ferndale, Zion Lutheran Church and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints turn-around the units between families.