'It's about accessibility to shelter': Homeless man's tiny home built on railroad property

EUGENE, Ore — Todd, who has been homeless since 2007, lives in a self-built tiny home in a homeless encampment near Seneca Road. Although it provides some shelter, it may not meet Eugene's housing standards. The only catch? It resides on Union Pacific Railroad property.

"I just got tired of it. You know, I wanted to be able to hang something up," says Todd.He reflected on the struggles of surviving unsheltered in various tent encampments.

His father taught him landscaping and construction skills when he was growing up. Todd and his father used to work at Lane Plywood, which shut down in 1997, putting 200 workers out of business.

"I spent a lot of time salvaging stuff and then packing it on my bike and cart, a little bit at a time," Todd adds.

According to Community Supported Shelters (CSS), a nonprofit that provides individual Conestoga huts in a village-style community, individual and group shelters serve different segments of the homeless population.CSS's model creates an environment where people can improve independently and with the organization's support.

CSS's Director of Operations, Tabitha Eck, says, "We have three times the success rate of moving folks into HUD-approved housing as any other shelter provider in Eugene."

According to the Lane County dashboard, at least 3,532 people were unhoused in March, and 68% of those counted were unsheltered.

Individual shelter requires a certain level of independence and ability to manage one's affairs. While congregant shelters meet an immediate need for shelter and on-site wraparound services, clients also deal with a lack of privacy and autonomy.

"They're very institutionalized. They're met to meet a large need quickly," adds Eck.

Why would someone want to build their home rather than gain shelter from an organization or city program? There is no easy answer.

"I think it's in all of us to want to provide for ourselves, to care for ourselves, and to have that independence. So there are many motivations, but I think before we can even talk motivations, in our community, it's about accessibility to shelter... What we're experiencing, oftentimes, are people trying to meet their needs for shelter, water, and a safe place," says Eck.

Todd's tiny home resembles an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), which the city must approve on private and public property. Eugene's land use code requirements include precise measurements for walkways and front yards.ADUs also must adhere to fire codes, electrical codes, and height limitations.

According to Eugene's land use supervisor, Reid Verner, these codes are needed to prioritize the safety and well-being of residents and their neighbors.

"People won't be at risk if there is a situation where a natural hazard or a fire comes to an area; they're going to be much more protected, and they're going to be much safer," adds Verner.

Union Pacific Railroad owns the right-of-way property where Todd's tiny home resides. We asked them if they knew about Seneca camp and Todd's house. In a statement to our newsroom, they didn't acknowledge the camp or give any answers about how or when they plan to address the makeshift home.

Days before January's ice storm, Eugene Police issued trespassing citations to nine people at Seneca Camp. Eugene Police indicated that Union Pacific asked them to enforce trespassing laws when they visited the encampment.

Although Todd's tiny home provides him with a life of dignity and freedom from societal norms, he worries about how long he will be allowed to stay there.

He says, "There's a certain part of the world that's put behind me. I don't have to deal with it anymore."Todd plans to continue living in his home for the foreseeable future.

Our newsroom will continue to check in on Todd and provide updates on any developments with Union Pacific or Eugene Police.