Earth

Huts for the Homeless

Inspired by the wagon’s iconic design – it’s like a hoop house on wheels – Erik de Buhr of Community Supportive Shelters in Eugene, Oregon, has incorporated the unique shape into huts, as temporary housing for the homeless.

These huts have hard shelled, curved rooves and walls, are made from recycled materials and
can be assembled in a few hours.

They are weather-proof, insulated and feature a lockable door.
Each hut contains 60 square feet of living space with a small porch and a built-in bed. They can be constructed for as little as $2500 — a fraction of the cost of a tiny home.

The shelters are offered for up to 10 months, as a stepping stone to more permanent housing. Residents participate in monthly check-ins, camp duties, and site maintenance, all while seeking out employment and counseling programs.

Since early 2019, hundreds of huts have been installed at sites across Oregon and Washington, giving those in need a chance to stabilize themselves.

And like their rolling predecessors, these Conestoga huts are helping to carry many, to a new and better life.