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About

Our Work

Get Involved

Contact

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what we do

Empowering Refugees Through Humanitarian Design

Every Shelter is a humanitarian design firm that designs shelter solutions with refugees and displaced communities around the world.

Refugees lead. We support.

We are designers, architects, thinkers, and do-er's with one simple goal: help refugees build the best homes possible by rethinking how shelter is made. Refugees lead, we support. Until Every Refugee Creates Home.

Our Approach

design in proximity to need

We believe architects and designers are among the best strategists and problem-solvers on earth. Every refugee context is unique, and each demands solutions shaped in place alongside those who live there. We pair design with action, begin with a plan to exit, and equip refugees with the skills and knowledge to become the innovators and builders.

01

Do

We are a global team of designers and do-ers who work alongside refugees to solve complex housing challenges in resource-constrained refugee settings. From Houston to Mbarara, we deploy design to create better products, shelters, and solution with and for refugees.

We work in proximity which allows us to refine and scale what works—now what we assume
Our role is to build, test, adapt, and ultimately prepare the work for Refugee-Led Organizations

01

Do

We work in proximity which allows us to refine and scale what works—now what we assume
Our role is to build, test, adapt, and ultimately prepare the work for Refugee-Led Organizations

02

Train

As solutions mature, we shift from building to equipping. We train refugees in the skills, methods, and systems needed to take the work further than we ever could.

Training transfers ownership, turning design into local capacity
Training ensures that innovation continues in the hands of those who will live with the outcomes

02

Train

As solutions mature, we shift from building to equipping. We train refugees in the skills, methods, and systems needed to take the work further than we ever could.

Training transfers ownership, turning design into local capacity
Training ensures that innovation continues in the hands of those who will live with the outcomes

03

Exit

Our goal is to leave the work with those best suited to sustain it.

We exit when Refugee-Led Organizations have the tools, knowledge, and authority to lead.
Exit is not withdrawel—it is alignment with what is right.
Lasting impact depends on local leadership, not foreign presence.

03

Exit

Our goal is to leave the work with those best suited to sustain it.

We exit when Refugee-Led Organizations have the tools, knowledge, and authority to lead.
Exit is not withdrawel—it is alignment with what is right.
Lasting impact depends on local leadership, not foreign presence.

The Humanitarian Design Firm

We organize our outputs around three themes:

Design

creative solutions / local often free materials / building techniques

Design helps refugees create home by working with them to find new, creative ways to use local, often free materials, create new products, and discover better building techniques.

Build

hands on training / skill development / community empowerment

Build helps refugees create home by empowering refugees to build & repair homes through hands-on construction training, enabling them to build for themselves and their communities while developing skills and income.

Supply

Access to tools / supports local business / readily available

Supply helps refugees create home by ensuring refugees have ready access to good materials and tools - supporting local businesses in the process.

Creating Home — DESIGN AT WORK

Voices of Impact

Advovates of Hope

Kristi

haven Member

"I donate to The Haven each month not just because I believe in the mission of Every Shelter but because I love how Every Shelter implements its mission. They work with local experts providing a way forward for many people and the innovative, sustainable design is just plain cool. A company that does so much for both relief and development makes me feel like my donations are always being used for something meaningful and lasting."

Jay

haven member

"I chose to join The Haven to help bring stability and security to displaced individuals and families. Refugees are forced to deal with uncertainty in many aspects of their life, and I am proud to support an organization that provides them with real solutions for their day-to-day lives."

Mark & Ashley

haven Member

"We joined the Haven because every person should have a space that is safe to sleep in. Every person should have access to a clean floor and stable roof. Every Shelter is doing great work. We have confidence in the wisdom and care of the people leading it out and we are glad to be able to be a (very) small part of it."

Kristi
haven Member
"I donate to The Haven each month not just because I believe in the mission of Every Shelter but because I love how Every Shelter implements its mission. They work with local experts providing a way forward for many people and the innovative, sustainable design is just plain cool. A company that does so much for both relief and development makes me feel like my donations are always being used for something meaningful and lasting."
Jay
haven member
"I chose to join The Haven to help bring stability and security to displaced individuals and families. Refugees are forced to deal with uncertainty in many aspects of their life, and I am proud to support an organization that provides them with real solutions for their day-to-day lives."
Mark & Ashley
haven Member
"We joined the Haven because every person should have a space that is safe to sleep in. Every person should have access to a clean floor and stable roof. Every Shelter is doing great work. We have confidence in the wisdom and care of the people leading it out and we are glad to be able to be a (very) small part of it."

Support Our Mission

Your support can help refugees build safe, lasting homes and create new pathways toward stability and self-sufficiency.

Turn displacement into a place to begin again.

One Time Donation

Join The Haven

Support Our Mission

Your support can help refugees build safe, lasting homes and create new pathways toward stability and self-sufficiency.

Turn displacement into a place to begin again.

One Time Donation

Join The Haven

Support Our Mission

Your support can help refugees build safe, lasting homes and create new pathways toward stability and self-sufficiency.

Turn displacement into a place to begin again.

One Time Donation

Join The Haven

Every Shelter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, EIN no. 83-2501756 headquartered in Houston, TX.

Address:

5127 Fulton St, Houston, TX 77009

Contact:

info@everyshelter.org

© 2025 Every Shelter, Inc. All rights reserved. Every Shelter and the Every Shelter logo are trademarks of Every Shelter Inc. | PO Box 30300 Houston, TX 77249 | Every Shelter, Inc., a US 501 (c)(3) public charity, EIN 83-2501756

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Every Shelter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, EIN no. 83-2501756 headquartered in Houston, TX.