With multifaceted affordable housing solutions an ever-growing need in the region, PIVOT’s 2024 Fellow studied the roles intentional community models can play in finding solutions for the housing and loneliness crises.

Abby Brown studied intentional community models, especially for individuals transitioning out of houselessness. Intentional communities are groups of people who choose to live collaboratively and strive to create a lifestyle that reflects their shared values.

The housing shortage has created intense pressure on the housing market, particularly in cities like Eugene. Extremely low vacancy rates have resulted in an ultra-competitive housing environment, exacerbating the challenges faced by individuals trying to secure affordable housing. For many, this has led to homelessness.

Concurrently, the accelerated development of isolation in the general public creates an urgent need to invest in community-building initiatives. A reported one in two American adults experience loneliness, and it affects both housed and unhoused. Those already marginalized by homelessness suffer even greater isolation from the larger community. Isolated individuals are more prone to recurrent and/or chronic homelessness due to a lack of a support network in times of need. Studies show that loneliness can have serious physical and mental health consequences, compounding the difficulties faced by individuals without stable homes.

Abby studied the social and built environment at Everyone Village, a transitional housing program in Eugene where residents not only have access to housing and essential facilities but also benefit from a strong network of social support. The project seeks to understand how an intentional community approaches to transitional housing design have been effectively socially supportive for formerly unhoused individuals within the village.

To see Abby’s project, click here.

Following her fellowship, Abby has joined PIVOT as a part-time designer and is currently investigating single room occupancy (SRO) housing as a potential low-cost housing solution.

The PIVOT Fellowship is a means of fostering original thought about issues outside the daily routine or obvious future trajectory of our firm’s thought process. PIVOT selects fellows based on the nature of their project proposal and other factors. It is a paid position and the term runs from June until September.

The PIVOT Fellowship is open to BARCH, BIARCH, MARCH, and MIARCH students for the summer preceding their final year of study at the University of Oregon. Students are selected following an application process that includes review of the candidates’ proposals for a project of their choice to be executed over the summer of the fellowship.

For more information or to apply for the position, click here.