Shelter Plus Care Policy Guide: Resident Occupancy Policies

The nature of the target population, and the flexibility of the S+C program in responding to the needs of this population, is also reflected in the program's resident occupancy and termination policies.

Occupancy Agreements

Participants must execute an initial occupancy agreement for a term of at least one month, automatically renewable upon expiration, except on prior notice. The month-long lease is meant to establish a sense of commitment, while not appearing overbearing.

Service Commitment

At the discretion of the grantee or the entity providing the housing, participants may be required to take advantage of supportive services as a condition of continued rental assistance.

Inpatient Care

If a participant is temporarily away from the unit to receive inpatient care (e.g., detoxification, mental health stabilization, health care treatment), the rental assistance may continue for up to 90 days.

Vacancy Payments

If a unit is vacated before the end of the occupancy agreement, S+C may continue to assist the unit for the remainder of the month in which it is vacated plus up to 30 additional days. This is intended to allow grant recipients adequate time to engage another homeless disabled person into the program.

Termination

Assistance may be terminated if a participant violates conditions of occupancy. Program regulations, however, recommend that grantees be as lenient as possible, so that assistance is terminated for only the most serious rule violations. Enough supportive services should be provided so that the need for termination is rare. Even termination should not eliminate contact; grantees should be trying to bring the homeless person back into the program.

However, when all alternatives have been explored and termination is still necessary, grantees must work through a formal process that protects the due process rights of the resident.

Applicants may apply for assistance under any or all of the four components.