THE PLAN
THE PLAN
We encourage our community and local government officials to review the following plan as a preview of what a successful, well-thought out sanctuary for our homeless neighbors can be and to consider it as a basis for implementation as soon as possible.
STATEMENT OF WORK
We urge our local government officials to work together to select a portion of land of approximately 2 to 3 acres located with easy access to towns; to select a contractor to build out the space; and to select a Nonprofit Service Provider (NSP) to begin the startup operations and oversight.
HOME PATH PLAN: 3 Components
RESOURCE CENTER
TRANSITIONAL CAMP
SAFE PARKING
RESOURCE CENTER
The Resource Center will consist of a 5,000 - 8,000 sq. foot warehouse building with office, classroom, no-cook kitchen, restrooms and showers, laundry, and storage space. The Resource Center will be filled with couches and chairs to allow people to get off of their feet during the day, and at night, cots for overnight sleep as needed.
CAMPGROUND
The campground will be approximately 1 acre or more and will accommodate approximately 150 10’x18’ campsites. Besides a camping area, there will be an outdoor common space for clients and a separate zone for pets.
PARKING DAY and OVERNIGHT
The Safe Parking space will require approximately ½ acre providing for approximately 72 cars, campers and trailers. Parking will be permitted 24/7 for individuals who use their cars for shelter and sleep. These clients will be able to use this space after they complete an assessment and law enforcement clearance.
WHO WILL BE SERVED?
Experts in the homeless field acknowledge that not all who are unsheltered are the same. Some are ready for housing, some are not, and many, particularly the chronically homeless, have no interest but still need access to some services and a place to be during the day.
To acknowledge and provide appropriate services based on the differing needs of clients, the following categories identify services per client need.
Visitors - People who come for the day and do not want to be assessed, may not stay overnight and do not have case management. During the day they have access to:
• Bathrooms and showers
• Laundry
• The Resource Center and outdoor common area
Guests - Are those interested in securing a safe place to camp or park for a night or for a much longer period of time . They must complete an assessment by staff and are subject to law enforcement background screening.
• Bathrooms and showers
• Laundry
• The Resource Center, outdoor commons and pet run area.
• Lockers (if available after Neighbors)
• Stay in the Resource Center for overnights
• Priority over a Visitor for incentives
• Will have chore responsibilities and must attend weekly council meetings
• If Guests receive SSI or are working, they should contribute to the program, such as $5-10/day. This will be waived for those Guests with no income. These fees could be used to offset expenses for the Resource Center
Neighbors - Those interested in becoming housing ready and finding a permanent home. They will complete an in-depth assessment, and will have law enforcement background screening
• Assigned a Case Manager and have access to all services, including physical, mental and addiction support
• Bathrooms and showers
• Laundry
• Mail service
• The Resource Center and all activities and classes and the outdoor commons and pet run areas
• Lockers and storage space in shipping container
• They can sleep in the Resource Center for overnights, or they can camp or use the parking lot for a car or trailer
• Priority over a Visitor and Guests for incentives and shelter space at night. Neighbors can keep their bed night after night.
• Neighbors who receive SSI or are working should contribute to the program, such as $5-10/day. This will be waived for those with no income
• Neighbors receiving SSI or working will have an option to open a savings account with their Case Manager and put $25-50 a week into their savings account which will then support them as they transition to permanent housing
• Attendance will be required at weekly meetings as part of the council to discuss issues, ascertain camp needs and receive responsibilities for the week
• Assessment of Neighbors and their responsibilities will determine their access to all amenities
RESOURCE CENTER
Resource Center Operations
Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• The Resource Center will be heated or cooled according to weather conditions
• Lounge areas with couches will be provided for people needing to rest.
• As needed, cots will be set up in the evening as the Resource Center transitions to a night shelter
• Case Managers will share office space during the day
• Other service providers will also share office space via a posted schedule
• Stewards provide initial orientation and security
• Stewards will make participants aware of the schedule of available Case Managers and promote Resource Center activities
• Stewards will create a list of daily chores and have Guests and Neighbors sign up.
• Classroom available where Public Health and other service providers could host AA, GED, NA, and any other relevant classes or groups
• Stewards will walk the grounds continuously throughout the day, getting to know clients and ensuring the campus and bathrooms are kept safe and clean, eliciting the help of Neighbors, Guests and Visitors to engage in chores throughout the day
Program / Operations Rules
A simple set of rules will apply at the Resource Center to keep the barrier for entry low:
• No violence, aggression, or otherwise disruptive behavior
• No drug use in common/public areas including bathrooms
• All animals are the responsibility of their owners and must be on a leash unless it’s in the designated pet area; clean up after one’s animal is a requirement
• All Visitors, Guests or Neighbors must adhere to policies and not loiter, litter, or be disruptive anywhere on-site or around the shelter locations
• All trash must be thrown away in appropriate receptacles
Resource Center Amenities
Bathrooms and Showers
• Bathrooms will be located outside in a concrete structure, and all fixtures will be stainless steel or some other durable material
• Additionally, bathrooms will have drains in the floor for ease of cleaning. Bathrooms will be available to all during regular business hours, and open to Guests and Neighbors throughout the evening and night. Staff inspect bathrooms regularly to ensure safety rules are being adhered to. Showers will be co-located with the outdoor bathrooms and available to every client under the same rules as the bathrooms
Charging Station/Wifi
• Plenty of electric hookups will be available inside for all clients to charge their phones. Free Wi-Fi (library access standards) as well.
Community Donations
• Donations of clothing and other donations for Resource Center clients will be available. Guests and Neighbors will be given priority to donations over Visitors
Shelter Cots
• The Resource Center will function as a shelter for the evening as needed. In the evening, cots will be brought out inside the Resource Center area. Only Guests or Neighbors who have completed the entire evaluation will be eligible to stay the evening for safety reasons
Heat and Cooling
• The Interior of the Resource Center will be cooled and heated appropriately based on weather conditions
Laundry Facilities
• Washer and Dryers will be available for all clients and will be located inside of the Resource Center. Machines will be first come first serve, and Stewards will help to ensure that clothing moved through efficiently.
Lockers
• Available for Neighbors and Guests. Clients must provide their own locks
• Neighbors will be able to receive mail at the Resource Center, and will have access to it daily. Stewards will assist with this
Meals
• In order to recover, people need nourishment. By working with local non-profits such as the Nevada County Food Bank and Interfaith Food Ministry and local churches and even restaurants:
• One hot meal per day will be delivered which will include protein and vegetables
• Food donations, snacks and bagged lunches may be available at times
• Coffee (via donations) and water for tea will be available for all
• Fresh fruit, bread for toast, jam and hard-boiled eggs will be available
• Microwaves and toaster ovens will be available to heat food. (No BBQs or open flames are allowed on premises)
• A small, no-cook kitchen area with a sink for washing dishes will be available
• People can continue to access the Food Bank or utilize their food stamps
Offices
• Office spaces will be available within the Resource Center for Steward staff, and Case Managers assigned there
Trash and Recycling bins
• Dumpsters will be available on-site for Visitors, Guests, and Neighbors, and will also be used to help support law enforcement camp clean-ups as well
Water
• There will be access to indoor and outdoor drinkable water fountains and spigots on site. Resource Center Stewards will supervise the grounds throughout the day and ensure the non-wasteful safe use of these common water areas
CAMPGROUND
Campground General Operations
• Only Guests or Neighbors will be allowed to camp overnight
• Intakes must happen prior to 5 pm for safety reasons because setting up campsites at night is dangerous
• No fires or open flames allowed. This includes BBQ’s
• All campers have access to the Resource Center
• Garbage must be picked up and put in available containers
• Visitors, Guests and Neighbors will adhere to all policies and regulations
DAY and OVERNIGHT PARKING
Parking General Operations
• Parking a car or camper or trailer will be available to Guests and Neighbors. (Visitors will use the staff/visitor lot)
• Vehicles may park indefinitely as long as Guest or Neighbor is in residence
• Staff will take a log of license plates nightly to track what vehicles are there and to whom they belong
• At 7 pm, the front gate closes, and no vehicles will be allowed to leave for the evening for security. Parking Guests and Neighbors could still leave, but only on foot. Due to evening job responsibilities or other pre-approved activities, gate access will be approved via the camp stewards
ADDITIONAL AMENITIES
Storage Units
Two 20’x8’ shipping containers (160 sq. feet each) will be available on site.
One storage unit will be used for extra storage for both the Case Managers / Stewards team as well as for law enforcement for camp clean-up.
The other shipping container will provide on-site storage for Neighbors’ storage.
• Items stored will be their responsibility solely and they must purchase own locks
• Stewards will supervise and manage the storage containers and lockers in the Resource Center. Case Managers will have access to storage on-site for Neighbors with whom they are assigned to ensure policies are met
• No weapons, drugs or alcohol can be stored in the lockers
• Abandoned items will be discarded by staff per policy
Outdoor Rest Area
One 5,000 square feet area with grass and trees and concrete patio onsite
• Available to all Resource Center Visitors (during the day), Guests, and Neighbors
• Smoking will be permitted in this area only with use of ash cans
• Picnic tables and benches will be provided
Pet Outdoor Area
One 5,000 square feet enclosed area with grass and trees where dogs can be off-leash.
• Dogs must be on a leash outside the enclosed area
• Dogs must be spayed or neutered and have up to date shots
• Owners must clean up after their pet
RECOMMENDED POLICIES
The following are best practices recommended by shelter experts and will be subject to adoption by the selected service provider.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Drug and alcohol use will not be allowed in common areas which includes the bathrooms. Staff will not search camps or vehicles, and will only address open alcohol and drug use in common areas if it becomes a behavior problem. Staff will be trained on the use of NARCAN and how to identify drug overdoses.
Intake Procedure
The initial intake is 10 questions long and could be completed with a Steward, or independently by a Visitor wishing to become a Guest. In addition, all Guests and Neighbors must pass a GVPD background and only Nevada County residents can become Guests or Neighbors.
The 10-question assessment may include the following questions:
1. Name
2. DOB
3. AGE
4. Length of time homeless
5. Are you a Nevada County Resident?
6. Are there medical issues we should be aware of?
7. How long do you plan to stay with us?
8. What assistance do you need?
9. Do you have income?
10. Do you use drugs or alcohol?
Guests or Visitors interested in becoming Neighbors will go through a 30 minutes or longer assessment with a Case Manager who will capture all of the data points we capture in HMIS and from any original assessment as well as completing a housing/case management goal sheet.
Neighbor Council Meetings
• Neighbors will be required to participate in weekly council meetings.
• The meetings will be hosted by Steward staff. Stewards will merely facilitate the meeting and encourage discussion.
• The council meetings will be relevant to the space in which the Neighbors are staying (Resource Center Shelter, Overnight Parking, Campground).
• Council meetings will follow an established format and will be an opportunity to air grievances and solve problems as they arise.
• Stewards will work with the councils to craft solutions which support the mission of the ‘Resource Center’ and are aligned with good Neighbor policy.
• Each specific council location will be able to establish additional rules through consensus.
• Neighbors will be assigned responsibilities and chores.
Formal Complaint and Grievance Procedures
Policies and procedures to allow Guests to address concerns:
• The policy will include the number of days operations staff have to respond and how complaints and grievances will be documented.
• The complaint and grievance policy will be posted for transparency.
Termination Plan
Program violations that may result in termination:
• If a Guest violates program requirements, NSP staff may terminate assistance as a last resort in accordance with the formally approved process.
• The NSP must exercise judgement and examine extenuating circumstances in determining when violations warrant termination.
• A Guest may only be terminated in the most severe cases.
• Termination does not bar the NSP from providing further assistance at a later date to the same individual.
Re-housing
In addition to stabilization assistance, re-housing support services will be available upon arrival of the Neighbors to the program. Once a Neighbor is stabilized, he/she may work with staff to seek re-housing options. Re-housing activities include, but are not limited to:
• Seeking landlords with available units
• Advocating to the landlord on behalf of the client
• Workshops to prepare clients to be housing ready. (understanding leases, paying rent on time, keeping units clean, communication skills)
• Financial management workshops
• Providing security deposits and move-in assistance
Program Exits
The NSP will collaborate with community partners to develop a coordinated exit strategy for Neighbors into permanent and stable housing. The NSP will implement these strategies as Neighbors leave the program. The NSP will provide written and clear policies and procedures for exiting clients and a written plan for continuing support services and ways to mitigate problems as they arise.
Non-Profit may terminate any clients under the following conditions:
• Neighbor successfully relocate into supportive or permanent housing
• Neighbor relocates outside Nevada County
• Neighbor reunites with family or secures housing on their own
• Client (Neighbor, Guest or Visitor) is deemed high risk (a danger to self or others) and needs to be moved to the hospital
• Client requires a higher level of care and needs to be moved to an appropriate facility (cannot feed, clothe, bathe, or ambulate)
Additionally, the NSP will work collaboratively with the community-based organizations to integrate services and deliverables, including but not limited to:
• Program launch activities
• Stakeholder relations
• Site preparations
• Intake
• Case management
• Operations
• Administration and Project Reporting
• Rehousing and Program Exit
Staff
Operations staff will have training and experience working with homeless Guests and will design services to meet the diverse needs of that population.
Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, there will be at least two staff at the Resource Center.
• 4.2 FTE late-night Stewards
• 1.0 FTE Supervisor
• 4.2 FTE day time Stewards
• 4.2 FTE evening Stewards
• 3.0 - 5.0 FTE Case Manager M-F (Will be made up of different providers daily, FREED, Community Beyond Violence, CORR, Granite Wellness, Nevada County Behavioral Health, Turning Point)
There will be one Resource Center Steward in the Resource Center at all times, and another who is walking the grounds regularly to ensure that people are safe and to build relationships, but not to push services necessarily. They will be aware of services and the schedule of services and Case Managers available daily to promote what the Resource Center offers to those who are ready.
Additional Amenities as they become available
• Computer Lab
Computers will be available for both learning how to use them and for help with job searches and signing up for benefits.
• Carport
Having a carport that could be used to repair broken vehicles. This has the potential as well to turn into a job-training class which could be developed utilizing a Guest’s or Neighbors non-working vehicle in order to get them running. Many clients are mechanically inclined
Woodshop
A woodshop will also be another job training opportunity for interested Guests.
• Gardening
A community garden will support healthy activity, while at the same time provide organic local food for the program.
• Additional
Enriching and health promoting activities (yoga, tai-chi, computer skills, music, and cooking)
Enlisting all clients in fun and relaxing endeavors will help promote community connection and healing.