THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 1995 TAG: 9510130211
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 158 lines
How to spend an $800,000 grant from the federal government for capital expenses incurred in sheltering the homeless was the topic of the City's Homeless Advisory Committee, which met from January to July 1995. In a workshop Oct. 24, City Council will discuss the recommendations of that committee, composed of people who now work with the homeless on a volunteer and/or paid basis and city staff from departments involved with services to the homeless.
What rules and restrictions, if any, a shelter should impose prompted some disagreement on the committee. The documents below reflect to some extent that disagreement. Editorial comment on Page 6. Following are excerpts from the Report of the Standards Subcommittee as Accepted by the Homeless Advisory Committee and from an attachment to it, the ``Homeless Shelter Compliance Guide.''
Report of the Standards Subcommittee as accepted by the Homeless Advisory Committee / June 28, 1995
Eligibility:
1. All homeless persons are eligible for intake, assessment and referral (referral includes information which is potentially helpful to individuals and families).
2. All homeless persons will be admitted unless they are deemed a threat to themselves, others or property, at which time they will be excluded until proper behavior is exhibited at time of assessment.
a. No alcohol, illegal drugs or weapons are allowed upon entering the property.
3. Families will be admitted for emergency shelter based on availability of safe space and facilities.
4. Intake and assessment will be available at all times. (Provisions for sleeping arrangements and ``sick bay'' will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
5. Following procedural guidelines, the case manager will work closely with each resident in an attempt to help the individual become self-sufficient. However, it is recognized there are certain individuals who may require an indefinite length of stay, which is acceptable under the program guidelines.
Human Rights Requirements
Notification: The provider shall prominently post throughout the facility a document setting forth the rights of participants and the means by which they can contact an advocate.
Each participation shall be personally given notice of these rights and of the appeal process in writing upon admission.
Written notice shall include:
An abbreviated statement of rights.
Name of the advocate and how to contact the advocate.
If participant is unable to read, the notice shall be read to him/her.
If there is reason to believe that the participant is unable to comprehend the written notice, the rights shall be explained insofar as he/she is capable.
Dignity: A participant shall have the right to be treated with dignity as a human being at all times, regardless of his/her need for services.
Remedies - Hearings and Appeals: A participant shall have, in addition to all other remedies available to him/her, a right to an impartial administrative hearing of any complaint, made by him/her or anyone on his/her behalf, that his/her rights have been abridged. The provider shall prescribe reasonable procedures for requesting and conducting this hearing. The provider shall assure that the hearing will fairly adjudicate the complaint and will remedy any violations or program policies. (The Homeless Advisory Committee, in conjunction with city services, will recommend the type and impartiality of this process.) The provider shall document all complaints, including outcomes, and provide reports of same to the designated city oversight agency on a quarterly basis.
Environment: A participant shall have the right to a safe, sanitary and humane environment. Items which may be defined by the provider as weapons shall not be allowed within the program service area.
Nothing herein shall obligate the provider to assist in the perpetration of or to refrain from reporting or otherwise intervening to prevent any criminal act.
A participant shall have the right to communicate or consult in private with any lawyer, judge, legislator, ordained clergy, licensed health-care practitioner, family members or the local homeless advocate.
Homeless Shelter Compliance Guide
Process for terminating assistance
The shelter provider must have a formal process for terminating assistance to an individual or family. Clients must be informed in writing of the appeals procedure at intake.
If an individual presents an immediate threat to life, limb or property, they will be immediately expelled from the facility. The expulsion may be appealed through formal process, however, (and) will remain effective unless the appeal is upheld.
If an individual repeatedly displays disruptive and unruly behavior or disobeys the rules, he may be expelled from the facility. The expulsion may be appealed through the formal process; however, the individual will remain in the shelter until the completion of the appeal process.
(If hearing is conducted in the appeal proc-ess, the) panel will consist of representatives of Dept. of Social Services, Dept. of Housing, the Homeless Advisory Committee and residents of the shelter.
Following are excerpts from a proposal to run a city homeless shelter submitted by the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center, one of several organizations which now deal with the homeless populations and which served on the Homeless Advisory Committee.
Judeo-Christian Outreach Center Temporary Emergency Shelter Rules and Agreements
1. All homeless persons are eligible for intake, assessment and referral.
2. All guests qualifying for admittance to the shelter will be accepted regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. Individuals and families will be admitted for emergency shelter based on availability of space. This is a temporary emergency shelter. At the time of admittance, there will be a 3-day screening period. Longer stays may be granted at the discretion of the shelter staff.
3. There will be absolutely no alcohol, illegal drugs or weapons permitted in the shelter. Possession of any of these items by guests will be cause for immediate expulsion. Persons who exhibit obvious substance abuse will be permitted in the shelter at the discretion of available staff.
4. No obscene or abusive language toward staff, other guests or family members will be permitted.
5. Inappropriate sexual activity (including but not limited to sexual harassment or seduction) of any kind will not be tolerated. No homosexual relationships will be permitted in the shelter.
6. Gambling is prohibited.
7. All prescription drugs must be registered with the director of the shelter.
8. No smoking in any area of the shelter.
9. No pets allowed.
10. No violence of any kind is permitted. Threatening a staff person or guest or other family member will bring about the immediate expulsion from the shelter. There will be no exceptions.
11. Should a crisis arise, where a person or persons are in danger, the police are to be called immediately.
12. Stealing from anyone in the shelter is cause for immediate dismissal.
13. Residents leaving the shelter voluntarily or by eviction must remove all belongings or clothes will be removed and put in donations.
14. Residents are responsible for their own personal hygiene and should always work toward a neat, clean appearance.
15. Residents may not bring fast foods (i.e. McDonald's, pizzas, etc.) into the shelter. Such items are a luxury and money should be used toward independence in a permanent residence.
16. A spirit of good will and considerate helpfulness should prevail at the shelter. All residents will be treated with respect by staff and each other.
17. The staff or volunteer on duty has full authority over all activities at the shelter. Any special privileges will only be given by the staff.
18. Residents must agree to a police check for outstanding warrants.
19. No pornography in rooms (i.e. books, pictures, etc.)
20. Selling food stamps will result in immediate expulsion.
21. Residents, upon entering the shelter, are in agreement to submit to drug testing at staff's request. Routine drug testing will be done on a random basis at the discretion of staff.
KEYWORDS: HOMELESS INDIGENT SHELTER RULES by CNB