Building Community and Connection: The Heart of Our Mission

On a recent advocacy trip to Washington D.C., the Pallet team met with policymakers to discuss the core of our mission to end the homelessness crisis.

Pallet Team Dispatch from D.C.

Last week, the Pallet team traveled to Washington, D.C. to talk about our mission and how we can help tackle challenges impacting communities across the country. We met with policymakers including congressional staff, members of the Trump administration like Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, and local officials at the National League of Cities Conference where our CEO Amy King gave an address.  

It was an exciting opportunity to discuss issues ranging from strengthening disaster response to expanding access to transitional shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. Communities across America are facing urgent challenges, and the Pallet team is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside leaders who are prioritizing safe, dignified shelter that supports recovery and stability. One message was clear in every conversation we had: housing alone isn’t the solution—community is. 

At Pallet, we are committed to providing innovative shelter solutions that help people find safety, community, and a path forward. But solving homelessness requires more than just shelter—it requires connection. For too long, we’ve treated homelessness as just a housing problem. But four walls and a roof don’t solve the deeper issues that lead people into homelessness in the first place, or more importantly, the traumas that come from living even a single night unsheltered. What’s missing? Community. 

When people experience homelessness, they’re often uprooted from their communities. They lose their support systems, and without that foundation, it’s nearly impossible to regain stability. Shelters can provide temporary relief, but without a built-in network of care, many people end up right back where they started. This is something our team heard again and again last week. Local leaders are searching for ways to create not just shelter, but stability. 

The crisis of homelessness has often felt insurmountable. But there is good news. Communities already have the power to create change, and many are actively working to do so. Grassroots efforts, local organizations, and everyday people are stepping up to provide food, shelter, and belonging. We see it in faith groups opening their doors, in neighbors organizing mutual aid, and in cities choosing to invest in real solutions rather than quick fixes. Pallet is proud to help support these efforts. 

At Pallet, we’ve seen firsthand how community-driven solutions make a difference. We are working with communities across the country to help establish emergency solutions that provide more than shelter – they provide necessary connection to essential services within a rehabilitative community setting. They allow people to stay with family, keep their pets, and access the resources they need to heal. When we build with community in mind, we create spaces where people can truly start again while equipping them with the independence to choose what they know will work for them. 

During our conversations in Washington, we sought to educate policymakers about the benefits and opportunities Pallet’s model can support. We also took time to listen to the challenges they are confronting in their communities. Our team believes that by working together, we can make real change while prioritizing the needs and benefit of the American public.  

We have the experience to ensure our solutions work in the real world. As policymakers work to combat rising homelessness and limited budgets, new and innovative solutions are needed. Pallet products are cost-effective, scalable, designed and manufactured in the U.S., and built for real impact. Pallet villages demonstrate that it is possible to provide immediate shelter that honors individual dignity and self-sufficiency while also investing in long-term recovery, resiliency, and sustainable, lasting community building. 

To read Pallet CEO Amy King’s Op-Ed on what it takes to effectively end the homelessness crisis, click here.