Low Barrier Shelter Requirement. Funding under this Agreement for shelter acquisition, operation and construction must only be utilized to create new shelter bed capacity that meets the following definition of Low Barrier Shelter: Low Barrier Shelters: Low and no barrier policies allow homeless individuals and households to access shelter, housing, and services without preconditions such as sobriety, compliance with treatment plan, no pets, or agreement to participate in specific programs, activities, or classes. These policies allow those most in need to have access to shelter and housing. These additional emergency shelter beds must be low barrier, focus on assessment and triage, and intentionally link to permanent housing resources so that people move through to housing quickly. Recipient may request technical assistance from the Agency to modify shelter policies to meet this definition. In order to meet minimum standards as a Low Barrier shelter, the following three conditions must be met: Sobriety* and treatment are voluntary; No required documentation of identification, custody, citizenship, or gender. Furthermore, shelters must meet the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Equal Access Rule, 81 FR 64763, to ensure services are available to all individuals and families regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status; and Shelter accommodates pets and belongings. *Note: Low-barrier shelters may establish requirements that limit the use of drugs and alcohol in common or shared areas of the facility. In addition, facilities may establish behavioral expectations that limit disruptive or violent behavior resulting from intoxication. However, the requirement to abstain completely from alcohol or drug use is not a component of low-barrier shelters. Furthermore, Agency is recommending the adoption of the following best practices as key indicators of a successful Low Barrier Shelter: Shelter has minimal expectations or requirements of people seeking shelter; Shelter focuses on addressing disruptive or dangerous behaviors rather than compliance to rules or case plans; Shelter welcomes self-defined family and kinship groups to seek shelter together; Shelter can identify financial resources that can support the adoption of low barrier policies and practices and supports extended or flexible hours and adapted service-delivery models; Shelter accommodates pets and belongings; Shelter’s intake process and housing navigation services coordinate closely with community-b...
