In most cities across the country, ongoing shortages of adequate shelter space and affordable permanent housing have created a growing population of people who lack permanent shelter, and who have been unable to be placed into low-income housing. The Dignity Village model strives to foster community and self-empowerment while providing sorely needed transitional housing. Although termed a “tent city” because of its origins as a social encampment, as of 2009, every individual or couple at Dignity Village lives in a 10x12 single-room, code-compliant home built by the community themselves from recycled materials.
In addition to private dwellings and a common living room area, the Village provides basic services for up to 60 people every night.
Among the services offered by Dignity Village for their residents are:
- Showers
- Sanitary facilities (Port-o-lets)
- Private and communal food and flower gardens
- Communal cooking and refrigeration facilities
- Emergency transportation
- Access to education
- Access to counseling
- Access to television (limited)
- Distribution of donated food, personal items and construction materials
- Internet access
- Weekly community meetings
- On-site veterinary and medical care on a scheduled basis by volunteer doctors and nurses
- Access to prescription medication assistance
- Rudimentary first aid
- Access to telephones
- Job network and access to resume assistance
Dignity Village is much more than a service provider. The Village creates systemic change by empowering homeless people to assume leadership, educational and activist roles in the Village. The Village functions as a dynamic self-help environment that provides a participatory framework for supporting each other, while simultaneously encouraging individual residents to more effectively help themselves at a personal level. Unlike typical shelters, couples and pets are welcome at Dignity Village, and community is fostered democratically through self-governance and Village participation, termed “sweat equity” by Villagers. Their participation and common work builds community and relationships that provide mutual support as they share stories, experiences and skills in a battle against the harsh experiences of homelessness.