A city is building low-cost houses for people experiencing homelessness, with community support, assembled in a few hours, costing $2,500, and with a simple structure to protect from the cold and rain.

Written by Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Published on 28/04/2026 at 12:56

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With an approximate cost of US$ 2,500, the low-cost houses, Conestoga huts, offer functional shelter to people experiencing homelessness in Oregon, with quick assembly, community support, and access to services that help rebuild their lives.

Community turned an idea into shelter

The initiative was born from the mobilization of residents who decided to act in the face of the lack of shelter, cold, rain, and insecurity experienced by people experiencing homelessness.

Without luxury or large structures, the project brought together donations of materials, volunteer work, and different forms of support to create simple, safe, and functional units.

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Low-cost houses were inspired by old wagons

The structures were named Conestoga Huts because they were inspired by the old Conestoga wagons, historically used as shelter during travel.

The adaptation transformed this model into compact units for urban areas, with a focus on protection, privacy, and a practical response for those who need to start over.

The Conestoga huts are ready in a few hours, which makes it possible to quickly expand capacity when the demand for shelter increases.

The rapid assembly is one of the central points of the project, because it allows for the installation of new units without relying on long, expensive, or complex construction.

Reduced cost of low-cost houses expands reach

Each hut costs approximately US$ 2,500, a value equivalent to R$ 10,000 on average, according to the information presented by the initiative.

The cost is lower than other small housing alternatives, which can reach up to US$ 20,000, or about R$ 100,000.

This difference allows for the creation of more units with fewer resources, while maintaining the main objective: to offer basic shelter, protection from the weather, and an organized space.

Each structure is approximately 5.5 square meters and includes a raised bed, lighting, and an area to store personal belongings.

The locking door helps protect documents, clothes, and important objects, reducing losses and increasing the sense of security in daily life.

Shelter also connects residents to services

The villages were organized to function beyond emergency shelter. The format seeks to connect residents with psychological care, social assistance, and professional guidance.

The Conestoga huts act as transitional shelters, offering a point of support while residents try to regain stability and access new opportunities.

During their time in the units, teams support the residents and help them connect with public services, training programs, and job opportunities.

Throughout the day, residents participate in external activities, such as appointments and training, which helps to organize their routine and strengthen paths to reintegration.

Program seeks permanent housing

Some participants are able to move on to permanent housing after going through the program, while others move on to housing alternatives with public support.

The project shows a simple response to a complex situation, combining low cost, rapid assembly, and social support in a structure designed for new beginnings.

Even though they are compact, the units provide the essentials for those who have lost almost everything: shelter from cold and rain, privacy, security, and a place where life can be reorganized.

With collective support, the Conestoga huts have become a functional alternative for sheltering homeless people and creating minimum conditions of stability, care, and dignity.

With information from Só Notícia Boa.

A city is building low-cost houses for people experiencing homelessness, with community support, assembled in a few hours, costing $2,500, and with a simple structure to protect from the cold and rain.

Community turned an idea into shelter

Low-cost houses were inspired by old wagons

Reduced cost of low-cost houses expands reach

Shelter also connects residents to services

Program seeks permanent housing

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A city is building low-cost houses for people experiencing homelessness, with community support, assembled in a few hours, costing $2,500, and with a simple structure to protect from the cold and rain.

At a lower cost than other compact housing, Conestoga huts offer fast, safe, and functional shelter to people experiencing homelessness in Oregon, connecting residents to psychological support, social assistance, and work opportunities

Community turned an idea into shelter

Low-cost houses were inspired by old wagons

Reduced cost of low-cost houses expands reach

Shelter also connects residents to services

Program seeks permanent housing

While an average building in London or New York takes three years to be completed, in China a 26-story tower went up in five days with about 100 workers, and the global modular construction market already moves US$ 95 billion per year.

Australia installs giant concrete structures on the seabed 800 meters from the shore to create an ocean intake for desalination that will draw in saltwater and produce 30 million liters of drinking water per day.

A public school student single-handedly created a machine capable of treating water for up to 50 people using only solar energy. It was awarded third place at one of the most important science fairs in the world.

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