Beaverton Congregate Shelter

When most of us think of the quintessential “homeless shelter”, some adjectives that come to mind might be institutional, impersonal, crowded, efficient, etc.  We’re not interested in creating such spaces, especially considering the many challenges and traumas folks have faced before arriving at such a place.  We believe in the inherent dignity of every human being, and their right to safety and comfort as part of meeting their basic needs for shelter.  We were thrilled to find that the City of Beaverton shared these values, and to work with us to transform both the realization and perception of shelter for the members of their community.

This shelter is low-barrier and is designed to support single adult neighbors who find themselves without housing in Beaverton and Washington County; providing meals, showers, and 24 hour shelter year round. The Ink Built team worked alongside an advisory committee of highly-experienced human services providers and folx with lived experience to establish the project goals, program, and layout of the shelter space through collaborative design charrettes and frequent reviews. This collaboration paired with our deep commitments to sustainability and inclusive trauma-informed design will result in a shelter model that is exemplary and transformative.

Prioritizing resident experience through a lens of understanding, the project team realized that to markedly improve shelter outcomes; a sense of safety, belonging, and autonomy were key to meeting people where they are and to make them feel truly supported and willing to participate. By providing opportunities for respite, access to nature, and semi-private sleeping pods without bunks; this shelter puts user experience first, understanding that successful transitions into permanent housing and a flourishing future comes down to dignity. In this way, budget choices are prioritized around people understanding that inequity must be corrected through investment.