Opportunity Village
111 North Garfield Street, Eugene, OR, USA
A collaboration between the housed and unhoused that provides stable and safe places to be through cost-effective approaches for transitioning the unhoused to more sustainable living situations.
Limited Equity
Cooperative Type
$825/mo
Carrying Charge
$10,000
Membership Price
6 units on .1 acres
Housing & Land
80%
Income Limit AMI
56-64%
Target AMI
Open since 2021
Project Status
$602,442
Total Project Cost
Project Overview
Opportunity Village opened in August 2013 as a "transitional micro-housing" pilot project which provides non-congregate shelter for up to 35 adults experiencing homelessness and is a bridge to the stability of affordable permanent housing for those experiencing homelessness. OVE offers a safe place for residents to stabilize their lives and transition into permanent, affordable housing. Thirty basic sleeping units (60-80 sq ft) are supported by common facilities in a village setting. Shared facilities include bathrooms, shower room, laundry, kitchen, pantry, garden beds, and a yurt used as a gathering space with computers and internet access. As the first non-congregate shelter in Lane County and possibly in the state, Opportunity Village has provided an alternative model for shelter for people experiencing homelessness, a model that respects the autonomy and dignity of each resident.
Housing & Site Design
The homes were built by volunteers and the residents themselves. Each home is composed of a set of 4'x8' modular panels, designed for simple and quick assembly. These individual sleeping units are complemented by shared facilities, fostering a sense of community in a village-style setting.
This design contrasts traditional dormitory-style shelters, which lack the privacy and security needed to provide relief from the trauma of homelessness. Over the years, many residents have expressed the profound dignity they feel from having their own private space—a room with a door that locks—where they can experience safety, rest, and a sense of home.
Ownership Model
The Village is self-governed, meaning residents use democratic process to make decisions about how the community is operated and managed. A contract with the City of Eugene regulates how the site may be used, and a Community Agreement and Village Manual outlines internal policies and procedures. SquareOne Villages provides ongoing oversight and support.
Residents attend weekly meetings to communicate about needs and common issues. Each resident is required to work 10 weekly “participation hours” to share the tasks of maintaining the common areas of the village— kitchen, pantry, bathrooms, and the meeting space (large yurt).
Financing Overview
Start-up costs were funded with around $98,000 in private cash donations and small grants, plus an estimated $114,000 of in-kind materials and labor. City-owned land is leased to our non-profit for a nominal fee of $1/year.
In 2016, our annual operating budget amounted to around $30,000 for the year—including expenses for utilities, maintenance, bus passes for all residents, insurance. While the first couple years in operation were supported by volunteers, we also added $15,000 in annual personnel expenses in 2016—including a quarter-time village coordinator, a social work intern from Portland State University, and a small amount of our executive director’s time.
