Shelter model improves outcomes for people experiencing homelessness

In the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oregon legislature funded 19 Project Turnkey sites to the tune of $74.7 million. This funding allowed communities to purchase local motels and convert them into shelters, known as Turnkey sites, that differ from the typical structure. At most sites, guests stay in private rooms and have access to food and hygiene supplies, case management and other on-site services and report a sense of community between the guests and staff. Guests are also allowed to stay in Turnkey sites for at least 3 months and aren't required to vacate during the day.

Portland State researchers from the Homelessness Research and Action Collaborative - working with Oregon Housing and Community Services - studied the impacts of Turnkey shelters between October 2022 and August 2024 to better understand how successful this type of emergency shelter is in improving the lives of people experiencing homelessness. The report also highlights some of the challenges of providing these types of services.

Between spring 2021 and the end of 2023, these 19 Turnkey shelters provided at least 333,581 nights of shelter and served at least 2,793 different people.

Although many of the sites were initially tasked with serving survivors of the 2021 wildfires and providing shelter during the pandemic, by 2022 most of the sites had transitioned to serving people experiencing homelessness as well as those in need of medical respite or escaping domestic violence. Almost all of the sites prioritized serving the community's most vulnerable members.

The Portland State report focused on the first round of Project Turnkey but the Oregon Legislature provided an additional $50 million in funding for Project Turnkey 2.0 in 2023, continuing the program and adding new sites.

"There is an emerging understanding that we need to do more than what is typically provided in a congregate emergency shelter setting," said Anna Rockhill, lead researcher and author of the report. "The study points to a model that is missing in many communities and that is key to efforts to help people move from homelessness to more appropriate and stable housing and increase their well-being more generally."

Traditional emergency shelters, in which guests share a large, common sleeping area, often require guests to vacate during the day and limit the duration of their stays to 30 days or less. These models provide an alternative to staying outside, but for many people experiencing homelessness, more support is needed to secure and sustain stable housing.

"We found that providing a chance to rest and regroup, and experience a period of stability allows guests to begin to imagine their future, make plans and engage in activities that will help them move forward," Rockhill said. "Both staff and residents explained that for some people, it is overwhelming to go directly from being unsheltered into an apartment."

In contrast, Project Turnkey sites make it possible for residents to "find their footing' before moving on," according to the report. A program director described Turnkey sites as "that nice middle ground where you are safe. You can build up those skills until you feel ready and independent to navigate those things yourself."

In interviews with residents, many remarked on the positive impact to their lives, including the increased ability to meet their basic needs. Other benefits included the "space to work on things in silence" afforded by the private room. For many residents, the longer lengths of stay allowed them to complete applications and "get things in order."

"It's extremely helpful. It gives you hope. And I'm seeing results so it makes me think that maybe something will happen this time," another guest said of access to on-site case management.

Less tangible impacts were also found. For example, guests shared that they appreciated having a community and knowing they're not alone in their struggles. One program director stressed the importance of a "human connection," and said "80% of the lift is making people comfortable so they trust you with their problems or their goals," according to the report.

"Placing services on-site, combined with person-centered, culturally responsive and trauma-informed approaches, facilitates relationships between shelter guests and staff that are often foundational to helping people with histories of homelessness and other types of trauma make progress on a range of goals," Rockhill added. "As residents experience care and see their progress, they become more hopeful and optimistic about their future."

In reflecting on the progress that she'd made since entering a Project Turnkey shelter, a guest said, "I couldn't have done it anywhere else."

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