Apply to Live in a WeShine Village
WeShine provides transitional micro-village shelter with private Pods and supportive community living. Applications are currently closed, but 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. Residents 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. |
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Private, safe personal space. |
Limited |
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Length of stay |
Short-term |
Up To 2 Years |
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Must leave during the day |
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Lease or rental agreement |
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Supportive services onsite |
Limited |
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Transitional program |
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Meal Service |
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Wifi Access |
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Dogrun |
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Gardening Opportunities |
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Villages Applications Currently Closed
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. Application availability varies by village and depends on current openings. Please review the status of each village below to see which locations are accepting applications at this time.
If all villages are currently closed, 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 small transitional micro-village in Northeast Portland serving adults who identify as LGBTQIA+, 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, the village provides a supportive, community-centered environment for up to ten residents working toward stable housing.
Temporary Notice – Construction is currently underway at Parkrose and we are not placing new clients there until it is complete. If you had requested Parkrose, please let us know if you are willing to be placed on the waitlist for Avalon or St. Andrews instead.
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 are also Black, Indigenous, People of Color, older adults, have disabilities, 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 residents 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 at a time who are age 45 or older, or adults of any age with a physical disability, with priority for individuals who also identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, or have been camping nearby. Operated in partnership with St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, the village is scheduled to open in Q2 2025.
Need Help Right Now? Here Are Other Resources
If our application is currently closed or 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 had an awesome community fundraiser at @hollywoodtheatr on Saturday August 29th! It was all very wonderful, campy and funny and the theater was packed! Lots of folks got to learn about WeShine for the first time.
Did you know WeShine was on @katutv on The Arc program? There is a link to the broadcast in our bio! Check it out! Yay Publicity!
#communityfundraiser #portlandia #butimacheerleader #unhousedneighbors #katunews
Here in Multnomah County, people experiencing homelessness are 40 times more likely to die from an overdose than the general population. In 2024, 214 of the 372 people who died while homeless in our county lost their lives to overdose. These aren’t statistics. They’re villagers, friends, and neighbors.
At WeShine, we believe compassion saves lives. Substance use is a health issue, not a moral failing, and stigma only pushes people further from help. Harm reduction, naloxone access, and stable transitional shelter give people a real chance to survive and heal.
One hopeful sign: overdose deaths in our county dropped for the first time in over a decade last year. Harm reduction works.
If you or someone you love is struggling, you deserve support, not shame.
#internationaloverdoseawarenessday #harmreductionsaveslives #endthestigma #weshinepdx #unhousedneighbors
We here!!! Come watch a movie with us! It starts at 2:00 at @hollywoodtheatr
#weshinepdx #unhousedneighbors #butimacheerleader #gaymovies #natashalyonne
15 more days! Come laugh and support a great cause at @hollywoodtheatr August 29th. 2:00pm Come hang with staff after the movie @hollywoodq_pdx
#unhousedneighbors #weshinepdx #butimacheerleader #moviefundraiser #portlandqueer
Join us for this super goofy and very queer classic film at the one and only Portland @hollywoodtheatr for a FUNDRAISER! Tickets can be bought at the door OR at our link in bio. All proceeds go to WeShine: Building and Operating Neighborhood Microvillages for our unhoused friends. @hollywoodq_pdx
WHAT: 🎥🍿But I’m A Cheerleader!
WHEN: Saturday August 29th at 2:00pm
WHERE: Hollywood Theatre
4122 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR 97212
WHY: It’s fun to have fun and support a good cause!
#portlandhollywoodtheatre #butimacheerleader #natashalyonne #unhousedneighbors #2slgbtqiaplus
We are happy to announce that WeShine was awarded a grant from the Oregon Community Foundation @the_ocf in the amount of $10,000! We are incredibly grateful for OCF for all that they do to build a stronger Oregon! Community is at the heart of our mission and we know our participants thrive better in community. This grant ensures our ongoing work of building and operating micro-villages to serve some of the most vulnerable of Portlanders experiencing homelessness.
🏡♥️🏡♥️🏡
#oregoncommunityfoundation #communitygrants #buildingsafety #homelessservices #weshinepdx
#unhousedneighbors #microvillageshelters #pdx #homelessservices #celebrate
Huge THANK YOU to EVERYONE who showed up for our free lunch and tour of our new improved Parkrose Community Village! You made this beautiful day possible and as a community we made this new beginning for our Parkrose participants possible. Our friends from the awesome @soundfoundationsnw drove down from Seattle to celebrate with us! We also had our partners from @lmcconstruction, our board, volunteers, neighbors and long time supporters show up for us today! We love this entire WeShine family. You all are the best! 💝
Newsletter
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