Alternative Outdoor Shelters

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C3PO Village Courtesy of Kaia Glass via Streetroots

With the increase in employment and demand for shelter during the COVID-19 epidemic, development began for a new housing solution that allowed for social distancing and privacy for those experiencing houselessness during the pandemic.  The city of Portland collaborated with nonprofits to create three shelters under the name "Creating Conscious Communities with People Outside" (C3PO).  

These unique outdoor shelters were initially made up of tents but have since been converted to small pod-style residences that better protect from the environment and the COVID-19 virus.  Each one of these pods costs only $5,600 to build and gives the resident access to heat and electricity to stay warm during cold months.  The C3PO shelters also offer amenities (food, laundry, showers) that are free for residents.  There is also a program emphasis on finding long-term housing and stability for residents.

The C3PO shelters are built to foster community and allow people to make connections and build community.  Of the three C3PO locations in Portland, one specializes in helping those in the LGBTQ community (Queer Affinity Village), and the one is a BIPOC shelter.  The residents painted and decorated the fencing area around the Queer Affinity village with colorful murals.  While these shelters work specifically to help disproportionately disenfranchised communities, the third C3PO shelter is open to those of all identities, and there are plans to open more shelters in the future to serve houseless people of all identities.

Donations can be made to support the efforts of C3PO via Paypal @ paypal.me/C3POPDX

-Sydney Phillips 6/5/23

Resources: 

"Alternative Shelter." A Home For Everyone, ahomeforeveryone.net/altshelter. Accessed 5 June 2023.

"Shelter Programs." AllGood, allgoodnw.org/programs. Accessed 5 June 2023.

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