Established in 2013, Community Supported Shelters is a nonprofit located in Eugene, Oregon, that helps unhoused individuals rebuild their lives through intentional community. We provide shelter, safety, and support for those in need, transforming lives with our low-barrier, cost-effective approach. Organizations across the U.S. have adopted our methods.
Our Core Values
Our Model
What is our approach for assisting unhoused individuals? It's in our name: Community, Support, and Shelter!
Community
We foster intentional communities that facilitate teamwork and shared responsibility. Unhoused individuals become peer support for one another, stabilizing and reaching goals side by side.
Support
Teams of facilitators and service navigators connect our community members to housing, health, and other services they need to become independent and productive.
Shelter
We manage Safe Spot Communities, sheltering community members in low-cost and durable Conestoga Huts. Here, unhoused individuals can fill essential needs: shelter, safety, food, water, restrooms, and human connection.
Homelessness in Oregon
We're located in Lane County, Oregon, which has one of the highest rates of homelessness per capita in the U.S. Learn about homelessness in our county, state, and beyond.
Transformative Shelter
Our model helps unhoused individuals find stability and rebuild their lives, and it maintains an impressive success rate for helping people transition from the streets into housing. Learn about our group-living environments, called Safe Spot Communities, and about our innovative micro-shelters, known as Conestoga Huts.
Consulting & Accountability
In 10 years, our work has reached 46 states, 1 U.S. territory, and 6 countries. Hundreds of people’s lives change for the better each year. We’re committed to assisting other organizations that wish to adopt our model, using our contributions wisely, and making our financial and impact information readily available in our Annual Report.
Our History
2012
The beginning of the de Buhr's Conestoga Hut vision, born out of the grassroots Occupy Movement in Eugene, Oregon
2013
Community Supported Shelters incorporated as a nonprofit, and first Safe Spot Community opened
2014
Opened a Safe Spot Community for Veterans
2017
Built the first wheelchair-accessible Hut
2020
Opened five new Safe Spot Communities due to COVID needs of the unhoused
2022
Added Shower and Laundry Programs
2023
Grew to over 35 dedicated staff members, 12 Safe Spot Communities, and 150 Conestoga Huts
What's next?
Learn about our approach to helping people rebuild their lives in Oregon and beyond.
Support Us
Your support provides shelter and hope for a better tomorrow. No amount is too small to give. $20 can make a real difference in the lives of unhoused individuals—it can fund an Outreach Kit, which provides someone in need with water, snacks, and hygiene supplies.
