The Shelter Plus Care Program is designed to offer crucial housing subsidies and supportive services to individuals in Berkeley who are experiencing chronic homelessness. This initiative ensures that participants contribute approximately 30% of their income towards rent, making housing more affordable, while also providing ongoing support to help them maintain stability and improve their lives.
Eligibility Criteria for Shelter Plus Care
To be considered eligible for the Shelter Plus Care program in Berkeley, individuals must first engage with the Coordinated Entry System. This is achieved by contacting 211, a vital resource that connects individuals with health and human service programs. Through the coordinated entry system, staff will conduct an intake process to assess needs and prioritize assistance to households facing the most critical situations.
Defining Chronic Homelessness
A key requirement for participation in Shelter Plus Care is meeting the criteria for chronic homelessness. The program recognizes several definitions to ensure it reaches those with the most persistent housing instability:
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Long-Term Street or Shelter Residence: Individuals who have been continuously homeless, living on the streets or in shelters, for at least the past 12 consecutive months are considered chronically homeless.
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Recurring Homelessness: For those currently in shelters or on the streets for less than a year, eligibility extends to individuals with a history of homelessness. Specifically, those who have experienced at least four separate instances of homelessness (streets or shelters) within the past three years, totaling 12 months or more, also qualify.
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Recent Institutional Discharge: Individuals transitioning from institutional care facilities may also be eligible. This includes those who have been residing in facilities such as jails, substance abuse or mental health treatment centers, or hospitals for fewer than 90 days, and who prior to entering the facility met the chronic homelessness criteria, are also considered.
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Transitional Housing Residents: In certain limited cases, individuals residing in transitional housing may qualify if they previously met the chronic homelessness criteria. It’s important to note that while persons in transitional housing may not meet standard HUD criteria for chronic homelessness, the City of Berkeley program may offer support under specific conditions.
Disability Requirement
In addition to chronic homelessness, participants must also have a documented disability. This disability can stem from one or more of the following conditions:
- Severe Mental Illness: Conditions that significantly impact mental health and daily functioning.
- Drug/Alcohol Dependence: Substance use disorders that require ongoing support.
- Physical Disability: Physical impairments that create barriers to housing and stability.
- Chronic Medical Condition: Ongoing health issues that necessitate consistent care and can impact housing stability.
Prioritization Based on Service Needs
Within the eligible population, priority for Shelter Plus Care is given to those with the most pressing service needs. This prioritization is determined by factors indicating high vulnerability and service utilization, such as:
- Life-Threatening Health Conditions: Individuals facing serious health issues that are immediately life-threatening.
- Frequent Emergency Service Use or Hospitalizations: Those who frequently rely on emergency medical services or require repeated hospital stays, indicating high needs and instability.
- Frequent Law Enforcement Contacts: Individuals who have frequent interactions with law enforcement, suggesting significant challenges and vulnerabilities that can be addressed through stable housing and support services.
By focusing on these criteria, the Shelter Plus Care program ensures that housing and support are directed to those in Berkeley who are most vulnerable and in need, offering a pathway towards stability and improved well-being.
