Apply to Live in a WeShine Village
WeShine provides transitional micro-village shelter with private Pods and supportive community living. Waitlists and application availability change often. To ask about current availability, please email shelter@weshinepdx.org. In the meantime, you can learn more about our program and explore other resources available right now.
What Weshine Provides
Private Pod for Safe Sleeping with locking Doors
Shared Community Facilities
Bathroom & Showers
Supported Self-Governance
Access to Wrap-Around Services
Access to Wrap-Around Services
From Unsheltered to Supported: Life at WeShine
Is WeShine right for you?
You’re likely a good fit if…
- Currently working toward personal goals
- Ready to take next steps toward housing
- Willing to work on communication and interpersonal skills
This might not be a fit if…
- Inability to meet basic self-care needs
- Don't want to participate in or be an active member of a Community
- Unable to follow our Good Guest Agreement
- 18+
- Currently unhoused
- Able to maintain Pod + shared spaces
- Agree to community standards
How We're Different
Understanding the different forms of shelter resources available for you and how our Transitional Village Model is different
| Criteria |
 Congregate ShelterLarge shared space, limited privacyCongregate shelters provide overnight accommodation in large group rooms with cots or mats. Participants typically leave each morning and return in the evening, with minimal ability to store belongings or create personal space. These shelters offer basic safety but limited privacy and routine. |
 WeShine Transitional VillagePrivate Pod with locking door, structured programsWeShine Villages provide transitional shelter with private, locking Pods, onsite hygiene facilities, community support, and daily stability. Villagers can safely store belongings, participate in structured routines, and work toward independent housing with the support of compassionate staff. |
|---|---|---|
|
Private, safe personal space. |
Limited |
|
|
Length of stay |
Short-term |
Up To 2 Years |
|
Must leave during the day |
|
|
|
Lease or rental agreement |
|
|
|
Supportive services onsite |
Limited |
|
|
Transitional program |
|
|
|
Meal Service |
|
|
|
Wifi Access |
|
|
|
Dogrun |
|
|
|
Gardening Opportunities |
|
|
Villages Waitlist and Application Availability
WeShine operates several small transitional micro-villages across Portland, each serving a specific population and offering private Pods, supportive staff, and a community-centered environment. Waitlists and application availability vary by village and change often as Villagers move in and out of our sites. To ask about current waitlist and application availability at any village, please email shelter@weshinepdx.org.
While you wait, we’ve included a list of other trusted resources below that may be able to provide support right now.
Parkrose Village
Parkrose Village is a transitional micro-village in Northeast Portland serving up to 11 individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQIA2S+, with priority for individuals who are also Black, Indigenous, People of Color, have disabilities, or have been camping nearby. Operated in partnership with Parkrose Community United Church of Christ. Parkrose Village opened in July 2022 provides a supportive, community-centered environment for individuals who are working toward stable housing.
Avalon Village
Avalon Village is a transitional micro-village in Portland’s Hosford-Abernethy neighborhood serving up to 10 female-identifying adults at a time, with priority for individuals who also identify as BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA2S+, or have been camping nearby. Operated in partnership with the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Avalon Village opened in August 2024 and provides a supportive, community-centered environment for individuals working toward stable housing.
St. Andrew’s Village
St. Andrew’s Village is a transitional micro-village in North Portland serving up to 10 adults who are 45 or older or adults of any age with a physical disability, with priority for individuals who also identify as BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA2S+, or have been camping nearby. Operated in partnership with St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, the village is scheduled to opened in April 2025 and provides a supportive, community-centered environment for individuals working toward stable housing.
Need Help Right Now? Here Are Other Resources
If you need immediate support, there are several trusted services in Portland that can help with shelter, food, outreach, and warming spaces. These organizations are available right now and can assist with finding safe rest, emergency supplies, crisis services, or next-step housing options. We encourage you to explore the resources below if you need help today.
Shelters + Food
Resources that help with immediate shelter, meals, and basic survival needs.
Clothing + Furniture
Resources that help with clothing, household items, and basic furnishings.
Information Resources
Resources that provide guidance, referrals, legal help, disability support, and navigation of services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a WeShine Village?
WeShine Villages are small transitional communities made up of private sleeping Pods, shared hygiene facilities, supportive staff, and structured programs. Villagers have a safe place to rebuild stability while preparing for independent housing.
What kind of support does WeShine provide?
Villagers receive a private Pod with a locking door, access to hygiene facilities, supplemental food, community support, and guidance from staff. WeShine provides structure and stability while helping villagers access outside services—not long-term housing.
What are the expectations for villagers?
Villagers agree to maintain their Pod, participate respectfully in community life, follow shared expectations, and work toward stability and future housing. A “Good Guest Agreement” outlines these standards in clear and supportive language.
What if applications are currently closed?
When WeShine cannot accept new villagers, we provide a list of local resources—including shelters, warming centers, Safe Rest Villages, and housing hotlines—so you can find immediate support. You are encouraged to check back for future openings.
We love partners, community and volunteers! Our participants are so grateful to get porch covers on their new living pods!
#unhousedneighbors #weshinepdx #solvinghomelessness #volunteers #community
We are building with at least a cadre of 30 volunteers from WeShine and @recycled.living building the porch covers for our sweet Parkrose Community Village! Community partners, volunteers, staff, villagers and donors made this all possible! Shout out again to the awesome @soundfoundationsnw @parkrosecommunityucc @portlandshed @lmcconstruction and more! We love this community!
Hi spooky fun friends! Join our Parkrose Village staff and villagers at an awesome Halloween Drag Bingo Night at (our besties) @parkrosecommunityucc on October 28th starting at 5:00pm! Fun prizes await!
@bliss.cornell
#halloweendragbingo #weshinpdx #eastpdx #spookyseason #freedragbingo
October 10th is #worldhomelessday At WeShine we know this is not something we celebrate but we acknowledge all the different ways folks can be unhoused, unsheltered, living in a car, couch surfing, living in a shelter, etc,. We also acknowledge that while WeShine focuses on single adults in PDX that there are currently families with young children and teens alone on the street in our communities who need immediate support. Homelessness is a worldwide problem. There are many pathways to reduce it and hopefully one day end it. We want people to be supported and cared for. We want neighborhoods to welcome their unhoused neighbors into their communities so folks can feel like they are in community. We know that feeling a part of community helps healing! WeShine is an acronym for: Welcoming, Empowering, Safe, Habitation, Initiative with Neighborhood Involvement! Check out @worldhomelessday
#pdx #homelessservices #safecommunities #unhousedneighbors
We adore our awesome pals and loyal supporters at @dreamhousepdx Go check out this cozy neighborhood establishment and order a Spicy Marg for us or get some yummy grub and enjoy the vibes!
We have huge love and appreciation for our non profit friends @recycled.living
Check out recycledliving.org/events to sign up!
Actual link to RSVP in our Bio!
We will feed you! It will be fun!
#volunteer #community #workingtogether #unhousedneighbors
We are excited to partner with our non profit friends at Portland Chamber Music for a free concert at @parkrosecommunityucc Come hear this fabulous ensemble and hear a presentation about WeShine!
Doors open at 6:30pm!
Timberrrrrrrrrrrr! It’s that magical time of year again. Just one month away to fabulous giving! We have awesome incentives and prizes again this year and @giveguide has some exciting new Big Give Days! Stay tuned for more! It’s gonna be awesome.
#portlandtimbers #timberjoey #willametteweekgiveguide #weshinepdx #unhousedneighbors
Newsletter
Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter, The Village View. Read the latest edition below, and sign up here to get the next one in your inbox. The Village View highlights recent happenings in our current villages, exciting announcements, articles by staff on homelessness issues in our region, engaging stories about the folks we serve and more. Sign up today!