Just Compassion is a nonprofit serving houseless adults in Washington County. Helm partnered with the organization to design a safe, welcoming resource center with accessible emergency housing for unhoused and marginalized individuals. The nearly 10,000-square-foot, purpose-built facility—the county’s first—includes a day center with dining, bathing, and social services on the ground floor, and a 60-bed emergency shelter above. Designed to function as a community shelter during emergencies, the building has a backup generator to remain fully operational during outages. Its structure also supports energy generation, with rooftop solar panels producing more than 100% of its modeled electrical use.

The center emphasizes human-centered design, balancing warm, residential finishes with safety and security needs. Residential aesthetics and a vibrant color palette create a welcoming, uplifting atmosphere, inspired by the natural tones of the Pacific Northwest and incorporating recycled materials. The layout and furnishings support both privacy and connection, fostering safety, dignity, and a sense of ownership. Community storytelling is reflected through sourcing from formerly homeless, local, independent, and BIPOC artists and makers. Just Compassion envisions a space where guests are seen, heard, and known—building relationships that meaningfully impact lives.