Homeless Villages and Their Health Benefits

There are lots of people out there trying to help the homeless population achieve a higher quality of life. In cities all across America, and the World, there have been numerous shelters, food programs, health programs, events, etc dedicated to this cause. However, many of these programs have been created by well meaning people who have never experienced homelessness and do not listen to the homeless community. What impact does this leave? Well, it makes these programs difficult to access, unpopular among the homeless community and further separates the “homeless” from the “housed” community.

However, there have been lots of programs and services which have served the community well. Some of the programs which have been most successful and praised by the homeless community are the villages rather than shelters. Villages like Right 2 Dream Too, Dignity Village, Kenton’s Women’s Village, etc. have been well received by many. Of course, one shoe does not fit all, and one sort of program will not fit the needs of the entire homeless community. That being said, there has been greater success in programs that allow for self sustaining villages and communities rather than shelters which typically dictate the going-ons of their inhabitants.

Right 2 Dream Too - photo via Mental Health Portland

These villages offer many benefits - a stronger sense of community, pride in the work that went into the village, feeling like part of the city, etc. It is the first step in bringing communities together which directly leads to countless mental and physical health benefits. It also allows community members to connect with other services that might be needed for food, medication, etc.

To learn more about these projects or to support them, please visit:

Right 2 Dream Too

Dignity Village

Kenton Women's Village