Storage Shed Protects Belongings for Taos’ Unhoused Residents

Unhoused residents in Taos County lack a safe, consistent option to store personal belongings during emergency or public safety situations, often resulting in the loss of essential items such as tents, clothing, identification documents, and other possessions. The absence of secure storage creates avoidable setbacks that undermine stability and dignity.

To help address this gap, representatives from the Taos County Sheriff’s Office and staff from NEST reached out to LOR with an idea: install a secure storage shed to prevent unnecessary loss of personal property during public safety procedures.

With support from LOR, DreamTree Project will purchase materials for a secure storage shed to be built by volunteers from High Desert Helping Hands and installed at the NEST facility. The shed will include security features, weatherproofing, and accessible entry for law enforcement, along with clear intake, documentation, and release protocols developed in coordination with the Sheriff’s Office. This one-time infrastructure investment will establish a long-term, humane system that safeguards personal belongings, supports improved outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness, and strengthens coordination between law enforcement and service providers in Taos County.