St. Andrew's Village
Village Overview at a Glance
đź’ś Priority Guest Eligibility: Adults who are age 45 or older, or adults of any age with a physical disability, with priority for those who also identify as BIPOC or LGBTQIA2S+, or who have been camping in the nearby area.
WeShine’s Third Micro-Village: Where Faith, Neighborhood, and Community Come Together
St. Andrew’s Community Village (SAV) opened in 2025 on the campus of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Portland. Like all WeShine villages, SAV provides transitional shelter with on-site staff, private sleeping pods, and wraparound support, all within a welcoming, community-rooted environment.
What makes St. Andrew’s unique is the depth of its host partnership. The congregation at St. Andrew’s didn’t just offer space; they voted to transform both a church parking lot and the church undercroft (basement) into a full village campus, reflecting a genuine commitment to serving their unsheltered neighbors.
Our approach is harm-reduction and person-centered. SAV 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 St. Andrew’s Offers
On-site staff presence 7 days a week
Lockable pods with heat, AC, & outlets
ADA-accessible pods & community buildings
Full kitchen bathrooms, & large community meeting room in the church undercroft
Outdoor garden & gathering areas
Fully fenced site with security cameras
ADA lift serving both villagers & church congregants
Harm reduction support services
Housing connections & navigation
Partners Who Made St. Andrew’s Possible
St. Andrew’s Community Village was built through the generosity of organizations and community members who believe everyone deserves a safe place to land:
Host site and founding partner, providing land, the undercroft, and deep congregational commitment
Partnership support
Construction and development support through HomeAid’s national network of home building industry partners, delivering safe and dignified housing at a fraction of typical cost
We are grateful to every partner, donor, and volunteer who helped bring this village to life.
How St. Andrew’s Got Its Start
In September 2022, WeShine was invited by the congregation and Vicar at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church to present a proposal for a micro-village on one of the church’s parking lots. In February 2023, the congregation voted to go further, transforming both the parking lot and the church undercroft to create a full transitional village campus for unsheltered neighbors.
In 2024, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral joined the partnership, deepening the faith community’s commitment to supporting SAV and the people it serves.
After years of planning, community engagement, and construction, St. Andrew’s Community Village opened in 2025.
Volunteers: The Heart of St. Andrew’s
St. Andrew’s Community Village is strengthened by the people who show up for it. Church members, neighbors, and community volunteers are warmly welcomed to help enhance the quality of life within the village. All volunteers are supervised and supported by WeShine staff. Visit our Volunteer page to learn more about getting involved.
Neighborhood Partnership
From the beginning, St. Andrew’s Community Village was built with, not just for, the surrounding neighborhood. WeShine staff, St. Andrew’s congregants, and the Vicar worked closely with nearby property and business owners to develop a Good Neighbor Agreement that outlines how stakeholders will collaborate to maintain safety and livability in and around the village, and support villagers in achieving their goals.
Only authorized visitors are allowed in the village.
Apply to Live at St. Andrew’s Community Village
St. Andrew’s 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.