PORTLAND, Oregon — Portland's pioneering self-governed homeless shelter Dignity Village celebrated its 25th anniversary Sunday with a community fundraiser as residents face mounting financial challenges.

The village hosted a birthday party and fundraiser in Northeast Portland, featuring live music, food and activities for supporters of the innovative shelter model.

Founded in 2000, Dignity Village was among the nation's first self-governed, democratically operated shelters for homeless individuals. The community houses up to 60 people nightly and has inspired similar programs nationwide, according to organizers.

"We run our own village, we make our own rules, we enforce our own rules, and it's a sense of ownership, and it makes us all grow up a little bit," said Lisa Larson, the village

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