FIRST PLACE FAMILY CENTER (day services for children and families only) is the best place for homeless families to start connecting with resources and plug in to all local resources. 1995 Amazon Parkway (19&Pearl) 342-7728, 8-5. Only for families w/ children. Washers, dryers, laundry, showers, desktop computers with internet access, messages & mail, food, kitchen, (on-site eating only; no food boxes), referrals & advocacy. Open 7 days. Weekend shelter requires prior sign-up.
EUGENE SERVICE STATION / LINDHOLM CENTER (day services for homeless singles only) is a great starting point for connecting with all local resources. 450 Hwy 99N, 461-8688, 7days, 8-5, closed 1245-2. Shower, laundry, clothes, phone, mail. Daytime backpack storage. Bfst. 8 a.m. lunch 12-1245. Snacks 3 p.m. Open 2nd and 4th Sunday. 2-6.
EUGENE MISSION (night shelter) is the main emergency shelter available year round. Visitors are required to be clean and sober. 1542 W. 1st, 344-3251. Free shelter; 1-hour household chore assigned daily; separate shelters for men, women, and women with children. Closed 9-10am, 1-4 pm; men’s hours 6am-7pm.Women’s hours 8am-9pm. Must be able to pass drug test to stay. Day services include meals, showers, clothes, and toiletries.
LOOKING GLASS offers a wide range of services exclusively for homeless youth, ages 11-17. Their Station 7 emergency shelter program recently moved to a house adjacent to their New Roads day services program at 931 W. 7th, just west of Blair Boulevard in Eugene. Tel. 541-689-3111, 24/7 Help Line: 1-888-689-3111
Their New Roads Program, serving youth ages 16-21, runs a drop-in center that provides food, clothing, and showers, and meets other basic needs such as internet and job search materials. Counseling and medical services are also available. Education is offered through New Roads School for homeless youth. They also have outreach programs, including shelter, serving rural areas of South Lane County. Tel. 541-767-3823. Location:
508 E. Whiteaker Avenue – Cottage Grove, OR 97424
WOMENSPACE runs Lane County’s domestic violence shelter at an undisclosed location, as well as a public day services, advocacy and economic empowerment office at 1577 Pearl Street in Eugene. Office hours, M-F 10-3. Tel. 541-485-8232. The crisis line operates 24/7 at 541-485-6513 or 1-800-281-2800.
EGAN WARMING CENTERS (freezing weather night shelter only) – Spartan shelter (mats, heat and basic supplies) at various locations, only when weather drops below 30, Nov. 15- Apr. 30. For updates check with White Bird Clinic 24/7 at 541-687-4000 or check the website.
EUGENE WHITEAKER INTERNATIONAL HOSTELS specifically serve only travelers from out of town, with rates ranging from a $22 dorm space to a high end of $70 for a private room. 970 W. 3rd Avenue, Eugene, Or 97402. Tel. 1-541-343-3335.
VETERANS. If you’re a homeless veteran, one place to start is to download our list of veterans’ services. One item on the list is the V.A. Behavioral Health Reintegration & Recovery Services (BHRRS), which provides health care and essential social services to homeless Veterans in order to help stabilize their lives and break the cycle of homelessness and chemical dependency, and helps them overcome vocational limitations. Outreach workers seek out homeless Veterans and connect them with housing using VASH vouchers and a close working relationship with the local housing authority (211 E.7th. 541-242-0440). Some veterans don’t feel ready for conventional housing, but do want help getting off the streets. In that case, one option to look at is the Community Supported Shelters veterans’ camp–a secure community of veterans living in Conestoga huts. There can be a wait list of up to 10 weeks for a spot at a C.S.S. community, but if you like the concept it’s worth getting on the list, and sometimes you get lucky and a spot opens up sooner.
SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. If you’re a senior citizen, or disabled, check in with Lane County Senior and Disability Services. They know all the ins and outs of getting your social security checks rolling and arranging housing. Some seniors and people with disabilities don’t feel ready for conventional housing, but do want help getting off the streets. In that case, one option to look at is the Community Supported Shelters alternative communities–secure encampments of people living in tents or Conestoga huts, with amenities such as porta-potties and camp kitchens. There can be a wait list of up to 10 weeks for a spot at a C.S.S. community, but if you like the concept it’s worth getting on the list, and sometimes you get lucky and a spot opens up sooner.
PEOPLE LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. You may find it helpful to check in with Lane County Behavioral Health. They provide many support services, and they serve as a gatekeeper to a number of specialized group homes or other facilities for people coping with mental illness. If you’re not interested in group homes or other conventional housing, but do want help getting off the streets, and believe you could handle living in a cooperative camping community, one option to look at is Community Supported Shelters‘ communities –secure encampments of people living in tents or Conestoga huts, with amenities such as porta-potties and camp kitchens. There can be a wait list of up to 10 weeks for a spot at a C.S.S. community, but if you like the concept it’s worth getting on the list, and sometimes you get lucky and a spot opens up sooner.
The resources listed above are good starting points for your search; the day programs will have far more details on possible other options. Also take a look at the listings under Local Innovations on this website to see if anything looks like a good match. If none of the above work out, your options may be limited to the St. Vincent de Paul car-camping program, local motels, or illegal camping.