“It has been so wonderful and has made a big difference for me to get a place of my own. When we were living in my car, no one would help us – not even friends or family. You were the only people who stepped up to help. This would not have been possible if not for you.”
— Sharing Our Homes guest, mother
Sharing Our Homes
Our housing program is unique in that families can stay together in our homes. Our partnership housing model allows us to provide beautiful homes to families while partnering with housing agencies and social service organizations to support and care for our residents. Our volunteers provide meals, food, house cleaning, and yardwork for our families. Please see our volunteer page to learn more about opportunities to help with the Sharing Our Homes program.
Working Together Toward Success
Disciples House
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
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 medium-term housing, with an average stay of about one year. Some families may move on to longer-term housing, called supportive housing, which serves families who need additional time and support.
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.
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.
Need Help?
Families experiencing homelessness are referred to Interfaith Coalition through local agencies. If your family or a family you know is battling homelessness in Whatcom County, contact Opportunity Council’s Whatcom Homeless Service Center to take the first step toward finding housing.