santa fe safe outdoor space

safe outdoor space

What is a Safe Outdoor Space (sos)?

A Safe Outdoor Space (SOS) is a designated staffed site where people experiencing homelessness can safely sleep and access necessities like restrooms, showers, and support services. Each site typically serves fewer than 50 residents at a time to ensure safety and connection to care.

With their immediate needs met, residents can begin focusing on long-term goals like finding stable housing. Some sites use tents like Camp Hope in Las Cruces, NM, while others use Pallet Shelters, like Christ Lutheran Church in Santa Fe.

What is a Safe Outdoor Space (sos)?

A Safe Outdoor Space (SOS) is a designated staffed site where people experiencing homelessness can safely sleep and access necessities like restrooms, showers, and support services. Each site typically serves fewer than 50 residents at a time to ensure safety and connection to care.

With their immediate needs met, residents can begin focusing on long-term goals like finding stable housing. Some sites use tents like Camp Hope in Las Cruces, NM, while others use Pallet Shelters, like Christ Lutheran Church in Santa Fe.

Why don't unhoused people just go to a shelter? 

Emergency shelters are essential, but they aren't a fit for everyone. For people with trauma, crowded indoor spaces can feel unsafe. SOSs offer a calmer, more private alternative, and they cost less to build and run than traditional shelters. They also give residents a stable place to stay while working toward permanent housing.

What impact do SOSs have on neighborhoods?

SOS sites work closely with neighbors to ensure mutual respect and collaboration. Many use a Good Neighbor Agreement to set shared expectations. In Denver, neighborhoods with SOS sites saw no rise in crime and police calls actually went down.

Who can live at an SOS?

Each site sets its own policies, but SOS communities are intentionally low-barrier. They welcome people who may be dealing with mental health issues, substance use, or physical disabilities. People who feel unsafe in traditional shelters may also be a good fit. Violence, weapons, and public drug use are not allowed.

what is a pallet shelter?

Pallet is a company that builds small, private shelters designed for quick set up. Each unit includes a locking door, bed(s), electricity, and heating or cooling. Entire shelter villages can be erected in just a few days.

Pallet Shelters were designed by the unhoused for the unhoused. The number one response from those that have stayed in them is the feeling of safety from being able to lock the door and having a secure space to sleep and store belongings.

Below is a video of volunteers and Pallet staff setting up a shelter village in Aurora, CO.

more about pallet shelters

questions & additional feedback

We welcome your questions, comments, concerns and feedback regarding Safe Outdoor Spaces. Please email kathleen@communityinvestmentalliance.org and we’ll follow up with you directly.

Why don't unhoused people just go to a shelter?

Emergency shelters are essential, but they aren't a fit for everyone. For people with trauma, crowded indoor spaces can feel unsafe. SOSs offer a calmer, more private alternative, and they cost less to build and run than traditional shelters. They also give residents a stable place to stay while working toward permanent housing.

What impact does an SOS community have on a neighborhood?

SOS sites work closely with neighbors to ensure mutual respect and collaboration. Many use a Good Neighbor Agreement to set shared expectations. In Denver, neighborhoods with SOS sites saw no rise in crime and police calls actually went down.

Who can live at an SOS?

Each site sets its own policies, but SOS communities are intentionally low-barrier. They welcome people who may be dealing with mental health issues, substance use, or physical disabilities. People who feel unsafe in traditional shelters may also be a good fit. Violence, weapons, and public drug use are not allowed.

what is a pallet shelter?

Pallet is a company that builds small, private shelters designed for quick set up. Each unit includes a locking door, bed(s), electricity, and heating or cooling. Entire shelter villages can be erected in just a few days.

Pallet Shelters were designed by the unhoused for the unhoused. The number one response from those that have stayed in them is the feeling of safety from being able to lock the door and having a secure space to sleep and store belongings.

Below is a video of volunteers and Pallet staff setting up a shelter village in Aurora, CO.

more about pallet shelters

questions & additional feedback

We welcome your questions, comments, concerns and feedback regarding Safe Outdoor Spaces. Please email kathleen@communityinvestmentalliance.org and we’ll follow up with you directly.