What We Do

Helping people rebuild their lives

Community Supported Shelters helps the unhoused stabilize and rebuild through intentional community. Our model is low-cost and maintains an impressive success rate. We help hundreds of people transform their lives each year in Lane County, Oregon, and organizations across the U.S. have adopted our approach. Check out our latest news here.

We do more than put butts in Huts

How We Help

We are cost-effective.

Studies consistently confirm that providing basic necessities to unhoused individuals first and foremost not only successfully reduces homelessness — it also generally results in cost savings for communities because sheltered people are less likely to use emergency services like hospitals and jails. 

We help the hard-to-reach.

Our approach is low-barrier, meaning we provide a safe place of shelter for those who may have no other options. An individual experiencing homelessness can come to our door without an I.D., with a pet in tow, and with alcohol on their breath, and we will shelter them.

We transform lives.

Once people aren’t worried about basic survival needs, they can focus on accomplishing personal goals. Our residents often aspire toward: permanent housing, sobriety, employment, and improved quality of life.



With peer support and individualized guidance from our Service Team, most of our residents move on to better life circumstances in less than a year.

We look at the big picture.

Research shows lack of affordable housing and eviction rates correlate strongly with the increase of homelessness in the U.S.



Though many factors are beyond our control, we are committed to being part of the solution. We share our expertise with other organizations through consulting, and we engage policymakers to improve the system.

By the Numbers

See more in our Annual Report

Bike and Build Volunteers Assist in Refurbishing Huts

Bike and Build Volunteers Assist in Refurbishing Huts

These volunteers cycle across America to raise awareness about the housing affordability crisis. This summer, they helped our facilities team wash and dismantle 6 Conestoga Huts, so the parts can be recycled and reused.

Read More

"The City of Eugene has partnered with CSS for more than ten years and finds their innovative approach to supporting people to be cost-effective, trauma-informed, person-centered, and impactful."


—Peter Chavannes, City of Eugene Homeless Systems Policy Manager

How many people experiencing homelessness in Lane County, Oregon, are unsheltered?

A) 41%

B) 54%

C) 73%

D) 81%

Get the Answer

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.

Donate Today
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