Specifications include, but are not limited to: A. The Access Center will be used for non-emergency homeless services and designed to include the following : 1. Site will include security systems and lighting, which will be installed both indoors and outdoors in order to ensure safety. 2. Shared office space with secured access that is sufficient to support co-located services and the applicant organization’s work; 3. Private space for staff such as bathrooms and a break room; 4. At least five (5) indoor hygiene facilities with adequate shower and restrooms to serve average number of participants seen per day; 5. Outdoor covered area that includes separate community space, smoking area, and pet area; 6. Space available for minimum of fifty (50) individuals; note that bonus points will be awarded for every 10 individuals accommodated over that minimum during inclement weather events; the access center must be large enough to accommodate the proposed number of individuals in compliance with fire marshal rules; 7. Space available to safety accommodate pets during inclement weather events; 8. Laundry facilities to include no less than four (4) washers and four (4) dryers; 9. Meal preparation facilities to include a commercial kitchen that is able to accommodate no less than three (3) meals per day and provide snacks and drinks throughout the day; 10. Storage for and distribution of clothing and food (i.e., food pantry); 11. Ample storage space for participants belongings, including bike racks; 12. Additional Rooms in the facility must include additional rooms for programming, spaces such as a quiet room, computer space, a trauma de-escalation room, and classroom space for budgeting, peer support, on-site resources, and community gatherings. 13. Site must include a hardwired generator and other emergency supplies on hand, such as bottled water, in the event of power loss. B. The Access Center will provide the following functions, services, and equipment: 1. Open to the public seven (7) days per week during the hours of 7am-7pm. 2. Allow for 24/7 operations during inclement weather, including full staffing and operations to accommodate for overnight use as a temporary inclement weather shelter. 3. Van that may be used to transport participants. 4. Meal preparation services. 5. Case management, housing navigation, coordinated entry assessments; and other low-barrier services; note that the Access Center will not function as a drop off site for mental health episodes, emergency shelter, or detoxing. 6. Formalized partnership with health care or behavioral health entity or behavioral health entity to provide co-located services 7. Establish and follow a Neighborhood Plan to support the community and mitigate community impact. C. Project proposals that do not meet all of the program preferences or criteria may be considered depending on remaining funding after prioritized projects are awarded.
