99-346 C.M.R. ch. 19, § 3 - Emergency Shelter Requirements

Applicants that are Emergency Shelters must do the following:

A. provide access 365 days per year to assist Persons Experiencing Homelessness meet basic emergency shelter needs;

B. provide adequate sleeping space or beds, and clean and functioning shower and toilet facilities;

C. provide safe and nutritious food, including breakfast or access to breakfast and, if open 24 hours, also provide lunch and dinner or access to lunch and dinner;

D. treat all guests with dignity and respect, regardless of religious or political beliefs, cultural background, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation;

E. provide shelter and housing services based upon a Rapid Re-housing or Housing First approach;

F. have admittance and stay policies that are appropriate for the population served and do not create unnecessary barriers to guests staying;

G. provide linkages and access to community resources such as health care, job readiness and employment services, Mainstream Resources, and educational services to assist guests in achieving housing stability;

H. assess guests for program eligibility and services to enable mobility to permanent housing with adequate supports;

I. inform guests of their rights and responsibilities, including specific shelter policies and house rules;

J. accept eligible persons regardless of their ability to pay or their eligibility for reimbursement or actual reimbursements from any third party source, including local, municipal, state, or federal funding sources;

K. have no lease requirements for guests;

L. if serving families with children, provide space other than open dormitory style and do not require involuntary family separation for admission;

M. provide separate accommodations for male and female consumers consistent with their gender identity;

N. protect the privacy and confidentiality of guests and their personal information;

O. provide training, policies, procedures and regular maintenance to encourage, improve, and maintain the health and safety of guests, volunteers and staff;

P. post fire, disaster, and other emergency procedures in a conspicuous place and review the procedures with each guest;

Q. maintain a daily and confidential census of shelter clients including precise sleeping locations;

R. operate in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local codes, laws and regulations; and

S. have written policies and procedures for standards that address the following areas: non-discrimination, client grievance and appeal of termination, approval of financial transactions, record retention, procurement, whistleblowers, access to shelter and services, client rights and responsibilities, program personnel and facility operations, health and safety, food preparation and distribution, electronic data and security, Fair Housing, and Drug Free Workplace. All policies must meet federal guidelines.

Notes

99-346 C.M.R. ch. 19, § 3