Village Overview at a Glance
đź’ś Priority Guest Eligibility: Female-identifying adults, with priority for those who are also Black, Indigenous, or People of Color, older adults, adults with disabilities, and those who have been camping nearby.
WeShine’s Second Micro-Village: Rooted in Neighborhood Partnership
Avalon Community Village is where WeShine’s growing model met a community ready to welcome it. Like all WeShine villages, Avalon offers transitional shelter that goes beyond a place to sleep. It’s a structured, supportive environment where villagers can stabilize, connect with services, and work toward permanent housing.
Our approach is harm-reduction and person-centered. Avalon staff work alongside villagers to meet them where they are, reduce the harms of drug and alcohol use, and support progress toward personal goals and permanent housing.
What Avalon Offers
On-site staff presence 7 days a week
Lockable pods with heat, AC, & outlets
ADA-accessible pods & community buildings
Shared kitchen hygiene facilities, & community space
Outdoor garden & gathering areas
Fully fenced site with security cameras
Harm reduction support services
Housing connections & navigation
Village Design
Avalon was thoughtfully designed to balance privacy, community, and accessibility. The village includes:
8′ x 10′, each with a lockable front door, private porch, two windows, and interior heating, air conditioning, lighting, and outlets
Plus ADA-compliant community buildings
An office pod, hygiene building, kitchenette, and community space for meetings and activities
With exterior and interior security cameras
The site plan was developed pro bono by Integrus Architecture, a valued WeShine partner whose generosity helped make Avalon a reality.
Partners Who Made Avalon Possible
Avalon Community Village was built on the generosity of organizations and agencies committed to real solutions for our unhoused neighbors:
Primary funding partner
Pro bono site planning and design
Site access at no lease cost
Free labor on pod interior and exterior finishes
Referral and early partnership
We are grateful to each of these partners for making Avalon not just possible, but exceptional.
How Avalon Got Its Start
Avalon’s story begins with a neighborhood looking for a better solution. WeShine was referred by Reach Community Development to the Hosford-Abernethy Neighborhood District (HAND) task force, which was seeking ways to address unmanaged camping and make better use of an unpaved PBOT right-of-way at SE 19th and Division.
Over nine months, WeShine met regularly with a coalition of stakeholders, including HAND representatives, adjacent businesses, nearby neighbors, and other community members, to develop a shared vision. A Good Neighbor Agreement was approved by HAND in June 2023.
Funding barriers delayed the start of construction, but Avalon broke ground in the winter of 2024, a testament to the patience and persistence of everyone who believed in the project.
Volunteers: The Heart of Avalon
Local volunteers help enhance the quality of life within the village in a variety of ways. All volunteers are supervised and supported by WeShine staff. Interested in getting involved? Visit our Volunteer page to learn more.
Neighborhood Partnership
Avalon’s neighbors show up for the village, and we’re proud of the relationships we’ve built in the Hosford-Abernethy community.
Only authorized visitors are allowed in the village.
Apply to Live at Avalon Community Village
Avalon Community Village accepts applications by referral, including self-referral. All applicants complete an application and interview before moving in.
Because our waitlist changes as Villagers move in and out and we are not always accepting applications, please click the link below to email our team and learn more about current application status and waitlist availability.
Check waitlist availability