BIPOC VILLAGE

Established 2021

Location: NE Portland
Number of Units: 38

Life at the BIPOC Village is full of diversity with many cultures and backgrounds represented. The villagers care deeply about the community and the overall village vibe, which means individuals take initiative, reclaim their voices, hold one another accountable, and speak into the fabric of the community life they’re building together. The talents, creativity, and handiness of villagers are all on full display, as villagers maintain a flourishing edible garden throughout the summer months. There is a palpable community feel at the BIPOC Village, and those strong interpersonal relationships undergird the work Sunstone Way does in helping folks experiencing houselessness build support networks and access resources as they take steps toward their future.

  • Culturally specific housing is designed and tailored to meet the unique needs, preferences, and cultural backgrounds of specific ethnic or cultural communities.

    BIPOC Village is a culturally-specific shelter site, meaning that the vast majority of participants and staff identify as Black, Indigenous and people of color.

  • Safe Rest Villages are alternative shelters that serve as improved points of entry for Portlanders on the continuum from living on the streets to finding stability in permanent housing. All Safe Rest Villages include case management with wraparound behavioral and mental health services.  Safe Rest Villages are not sites or unmanaged tent or vehicle camping—they address unmanaged camping. 

    - City of Portland, "Safe Rest Villages Program Overview"

  • Our vision is to transform lives, communities and futures through holistic resource navigation.

    Every participant who walks through a Sunstone Way shelter door has access to a variety of wrap-around services, including behavioral health care, case management, resource navigation, and peersupport. We pride ourselves on setting up each participant to have consistent and regular contact with a dedicated, compassionate, and trauma-informed team. This builds trust and sets a path for reducing stress and building resiliency, allowing them to move forward on the path to hope and housing.

  • We meet participants where they are - encouraging them as they set their own goals and supporting them as they work to accomplish those goals.

  • BIPOC Village keeps a waitlist but do not require referral from an outside agency. If you are interested in sheltering at BIPOC Village, you may contact the shelter line directly to inquire about applying at (971) 380-7594