Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. Accessibility/Hours: The shelter will be open 24/7/365 and easily accessible to those in need. 2. Location: It will be located in an area accessible by public transportation or provide transportation services if needed. 3. Capacity: The shelter space aims to accommodate up to 60 homeless guests. 4. Space: The building shall be ideally 6,000-7,000 sq ft with an open floor plan and offer some privacy where there are designated sleeping areas, restrooms, and showers. 5. 3-6 private rooms must be accessible for providers offering resources in-house, to be determined by the provider. 6. Common space is to be determined by the provider and shall include a kitchen and dining area with a table and have a minimum of one ADA-compliant restroom. 7. ADA Compliance: A comprehensive guide for ADA compliance for a 24/7 emergency shelter can be found here: https://archive.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/chap7shelterchk.htm 8. Data: The provider must utilize Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and comply with all data requests made by funders and or the City of Lewiston including keeping daily attendance information and generating reports including total unique households served, total households exiting to a permanent housing destination, and average length of stay. 9. Population/Consumers: The shelter will serve homeless adults ages 18 and older of all genders seeking services including the chronically homeless, and in the future may also serve families with children in a segregated space. 10. Staff to Guest Ratio: The provider will adhere to a staffing ratio of 1 staff member to 10 guests with a minimum of 3 staff members per shift. 11. Safety: The shelter should provide a safe and secure environment. This includes on-site security personnel, secure entrances, and exits, protocols for handling conflicts or emergencies, and assigned space for families with children that separate any access from the adult individuals' sleeping area. 12. Check-In & Safety: To ensure everyone's safety, shelter staff will check all guests' bags for prohibited items such as paraphernalia, controlled substances, and weapons during check-in. 13. Curfew: The provider shall select a time for doors to be closed each evening. 14. Storage: The provider shall designate a space, outdoors, where carts holding personal belongings can be kept short-term. 15. The provider shall assign a smoking area. 16. Loitering must not be permitted outside of any designated areas. 17. Shelter Rules and Expectations: The provider must post safety expectations and consequences for unsafe behavior and consistently implement these expectations. 18. Initial Contact/ Customer Service: The provider must establish an intake procedure and orientation for new guests that reviews safety expectations, community resources, a needs assessment, and a review of the daily schedule at the shelter. 19. Cultural Competency: The provider must be able to communicate with guests in a language that they speak through the use of on-site or remote interpreters. 20. In-Take: The provider shall interview consumers to understand an individual’s or family’s current living situation and assess their eligibility for shelter services. This may include questions about their housing history, income, and reasons for seeking shelter. The provider must check in with each guest weekly to ensure services are in place, offer opportunities including Coordinated Entry, HMIS, and address concerns. 21. Documentation: Individuals are typically required to provide identification and other documents. This might include IDs for all household members, birth certificates, social security cards, Medicaid cards, proof of work schedules, and recent pay stubs if working. The provider can work with the Police Department if identification is not available upon entry and work with the guest to obtain the forms when applicable. 22. Basic Needs: The provider should provide necessities such as food, running water, bedding, and hygiene products.
