Specifications include, but are not limited to: A. Property: 1. Property must be zoned to allow for emergency shelter expansion. 2. Property must, upon completion, meet all applicable local and state code requirements. 3. Property must be owned by the applicant and include permanent structures on the property that are currently being used as emergency shelter. B. Expansion of Services: 1. Proposed project must clearly demonstrate an expansion of existing services including the number or beds, onsite service facilities, and other capital facilities that serve eligible populations. C. Eligible Population: 1. Eligible clients must be literally homeless as defined by HUD. 2. Or actively fleeing a domestic violence situation. D. Required Program Elements: 1. At a minimum, the shelter must meet the following criteria which are based on evidencebased practices for low-barrier emergency shelter programs: a. Accommodates service and companion animals as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). b. Has secured and reasonably sized possession storage available to all clients. c. Must provide access to a clothing bank. d. Contains on-site showering and laundry facilities. e. Does not discriminate based on protected classes. f. Sobriety and treatment are voluntary. g. Does not exclude people with criminal convictions, poor credit, or eviction histories. h. Does not require documentation of identification, custody, or citizenship. i. Does not turn away clients because of a lack of income or the appearance of an unwillingness to participate in services or employment. j. Shelter provides access to and/or referrals to behavioral health services. k. Staff that are trained in trauma-informed care and de-escalation. 2. Providers will facilitate and support progress and activities that support housing and stability for clients, including facilitating access to Coordinated Entry. Services are voluntary and client-centered and organized to quickly route clients into housing or other long-term placement through supportive services, case management, and housing placement services. a. Hours of operation: shelter is required to operate and be staffed 24/7. This will be achieved by providing overnight shelter and day shelter services together (either directly or through partnerships). b. The staffing model requires more intensive levels of program supervision, case management services, behavioral health services, and security services including some type of 24/7 supervision. c. Utilizes strong partnerships with community organizations that engage frequently with chronically homeless individuals (i.e. homeless outreach programs, law enforcement, mental health providers, hospitals) in order to identify and target potential shelter clients. Clients sleeping or previously housed in the vicinity of the shelter should receive priority for enrollment.
