Rest, restore, revive

In Vivienda Iluminada, we offer a welcoming, dignified, private and safe sanctuary for visitors, with thoughtful amenities and opportunity for meaningful community connection.

Vivienda Iluminada came to be through years of community imagination and commitment to mutual aid grounded in the pursuit of collective liberation. Originally conceived and developed as the “A Place For You” program, the 380 square foot studio ADU was one of four built in Portland in a pilot to address houselessness. Continuously over the five year experiment, the ADU housed three formerly houseless families at no cost, providing greater stability, mutual care and learning for the families – and for the neighbors and community alike.

Following completion of the pilot, the caretakers reflected upon shared learnings from the experience, the persistent circumstances that exacerbate houselessness, and other factors that obstruct and conspire against collective liberation. Through conversations with wise friends, neighbors, creatives, visionaries, reformers and abolitionists, the sustaining purpose for the ADU was confirmed: it would be available for free or minimal-cost, short term, to people in need and to organizations for the common good.

What is “common good”?

There’s no shortage of definition or opinion, and why limit imagination? Below are terms that describe the purpose or inspiration for past visits. Imagine with us and let’s make it be!