Lane County presented the new emergency shelters for the unhoused

Eugene, OR – According to the statement, there are two different types of shelters:

• 100 square foot shelter that can fit up to four people
• 80 square foot shelter that can fit up to two people.

Each shelter has the ability to run electricity so occupants can heat the shelter and plug-in devices that require power.

Devon Ashbridge, Public Information Officer for Lane County, said:

“These shelters are an important tool to keep the unhoused safe during the pandemic and the winter months. The cost of the shelters came in at $888,300, paid for through the federal CARES Act. This is a very important piece of being able to provide that emergency shelter for our community, especially as we’re moving into the winter season when it gets a lot colder, a lot wetter, and a lot more dangerous for people to be on the streets. It’s very much like flat-pack furniture. A little more intense to assemble I think than your average Ikea bookshelf. So, the costs are down for transport something like this and again if new need to store them, it’s much easier to find space.”

She also said, what made them appealing to the county was their easy assembly and storage. Shelters are already being placed in Florence, Cottage Grove, and St. Vincent de Paul in Eugene. Roxann O’Brien is the director of emergency and homeless services and she said St. Vincent received 25 shelters.

They will be used as transitionary housing for their clients who are on the next step to find permanent housing. She said the houses bring a sense of dignity to her clients.