Recent community Q&A answered common resident questions about how the shelter will operate
Lakewood, Wash. – The Comfort Inn near 84th and Hosmer in Tacoma will soon reopen as a homeless shelter. Residents were able to ask about the shelter’s operations during a community Q&A event held on Monday, Nov. 22, hosted by Safe Streets Tacoma and the Low Income Housing Institute.
The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) purchased the hotel in October with funds contributed by Pierce County, the City of Tacoma, and the City of Lakewood. LIHI will manage daily operations of the shelter. LIHI has previously converted several other hotels into shelters, and operates several tiny house villages and “urban rest stops”.
“We think that we can end homelessness for hundreds of people. It’s not magic, it’s hard work, but we have a dedicated staff that works household by household to increase their self-sufficiency and get themselves out of homelessness.”
Sharon Lee, Executive Director of the Low Income Housing Institute
Lakewood and Tacoma residents have expressed questions and concerns about the hotel, mostly pertaining to neighborhood effects and conditions for entry.
Lee stated that the facility is committed to being a “good neighbor” and has begun to form a community advisory committee to liaise with the neighborhood. The facility will have video surveillance, full-time staffing, perimeter checks, and rules to prohibit loitering, trespassing, and other illicit activity. Lee also stated that prior hotel conversions became community assets – by sheltering homeless people in the area, neighborhood nuisances and crime decreased.
Occupants will stay at the shelter for 3-6 months. Occupants are to agree to and abide by a code of conduct throughout their stay. The code of conduct encompasses violence, substance use, safety, cleanliness, case management, and other rules. Failure to abide by the code of conduct may result in expulsion.
Each occupant of the shelter will receive individual case management. The facility’s objective is to be a “bridge”, and for occupants to eventually secure permanent housing and demonstrate progress towards independence.
LIHI measures success by “positive move-outs”, or residents that leave having secured permanent housing. Other nearby LIHI-run shelters have had over 70 positive move-outs since October, with one facility approaching a 70% positive move-out rate. LIHI introduced Tabitha, a former resident of one of their tiny home villages. She is now employed full-time, owns a car, and rents her own apartment.
“I remember sitting in my tent and I thinking to myself, ‘I wish I could get one chance to change my situation. When I did get into the tiny homes, the first thing I wanted to do was shower… Being homeless, I felt like I would never get a job being dirty all the time. Not long after getting to the tiny homes, my case manager helped me with my resume and I got a part-time job. It was great to be able to shower every day for work, and to have a safe place to sleep and leave my few belongings while I was at work.”
Tabitha, former LIHI tiny home village resident
Shelter Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct: Comfort Inn 24/7 Enhanced Shelter (as of Nov. 23, 2021)
The people of the Low Income Housing Institute, in order to keep a more harmonious community, ask that you observe the following Code of Conduct:
VIOLENCE/THREATENING BEHAVIORS
1. Violence and nuisance that offend decency or annoy, injure, or endanger the safety, health, comfort, or repose of the community will not be tolerated. Please attempt to resolve any conflict in a peaceful manner. For resolution or if further assistance is needed, please see Site staff.
2. The use of profane, racist, or sexist language will not be tolerated.
3. Assault, verbal abuse, retaliation, intimidation, or threatening behavior will not be tolerated.
4. Weapons are not allowed in the facility.
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
1. No alcohol, drugs (including marijuana) are allowed in any public spaces within the facility or the surrounding area.
2. No open containers of alcohol are allowed in any public spaces within the facility. Possession of an open container of alcohol will be sufficient proof of public drinking.
GENERAL
1. All participants must follow all shelter, City, and State regulations and policies which include but are not limited to the Pet Policy, Parking Policy, Public Health Codes, Fire Codes, and other rules and regulations posted in the facility.
2. Participants are limited to a six-month stay, with an option of extension up to one year if further housing barriers exist and there is a continued commitment to engagement with case management.
3. Per our current COVID-19 Policy, we are not allowing guests and/or visitors in the facility at this time.
4. Every member of the community is required to contribute with hours of service which will be assigned by site staff each week and will rotate between each floor.
5. You must respect the peace, comfort, and enjoyment of other program participants. Loud voices, music, musical instruments, radios, TVs, players, etc. shall be played only during reasonable hours between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm. If staff and/or other participants are disturbed by the volume, it is too loud.
6. Participants are responsible for the actions of all their household members, guests, and pets.
7. Unit inspections will occur at least 2 times per week to ensure that everything is in working order and that the unit including the bathroom is kept clean and sanitary at all times.
8. Your unit at the shelter must be your primary place to stay while enrolled in the LIHI Shelter program. Using your unit for storage while staying elsewhere will result in a permanent exit.
9. You must sign in at the front desk daily. Three days without signing in will result in your receipt of an Abandonment Notice and your unit will be cleared of your belongings.
SAFETY
1. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms have been installed in each unit. Do not tamper with nor disable.
2. No open flames are permitted in the units including the bathrooms and/or in any public spaces within the facility, or 25 feet away from the building entrance.
3. Smoking must be done in designated smoking areas. No smoking inside the units including the bathrooms and/or in any public spaces within the facility, or 25 feet away from the building entrance.
4. No propane tanks, unauthorized heaters, or big appliances are allowed in any unit.
5. If staff believes a potential safety and health risk exists, LIHI reserves the right to enter your unit to assist. An immediate inspection may also be required if a maintenance or safety risk has been identified.
6. You must follow all shelter, City, and State COVID-19 regulations and policies. Updated COVID-19 policies are posted in the community area.
7. You cannot make any changes to any fixture, wiring, locks, or any part of the unit and/or any common area spaces. This includes decorations or artistic expressions on any surface.
CLEANLINESS
1. Do not leave personal belongings or furnishings in the hallway or in any other common spaces. All personal belongings must be stored inside your designated unit.
2. Keep your unit clean at all times.
3. It is your responsibility to clean your unit at least once a week including vacuuming the carpets and mopping the bathroom floor.
4. It is your responsibility to gather all bed linen, towels, and pillowcases and wash them in the laundry facility at least every 2 weeks.
5. Do not place anything behind your front door which will prevent it from opening fully.
6. Keep your food stored properly and in compliance with Public Health standards.
7. One bicycle per person and it must be stored in a designated bike area.
8. All recycling, trash, and compostable/food must be separated and properly disposed of.
9. The units must be maintained in good order, and any repair problems should be reported within 24 hours. Pest and bed bug infestation must be reported immediately.
CASE MANAGEMENT
1. Case management participation is required. Please be sure to meet with your case manager at least two times per week at a minimum.
2. The Case Manager will do Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) surveying and data entry – in an informed-consent fashion. Within seven days of intake into the shelter, new participants are required to check in with the Case Manager and complete the HMIS Informed Consent and Demographics forms. HMIS data collection is a requirement of our funders.
3. Turning down a viable housing opportunity is a violation of the Service agreement unless it is determined that the housing opportunity could pose a health, safety or traumatic occurrence to your household.
4. A Housing Service Plan and a VI-SPDAT Assessment will be completed as part of your case management requirement.
OTHER
1. All animals must be on a leash when being walked and owners must pick up their animal’s waste. Participants must show proof of up to date vaccinations, spay/neutering documentation within 30 days of intake/move-in date. Please refer to the Pet Policy for more information.
2. There will be no feeding of stray animals. Feeding strays will be considered keeping a pet without permission.
3. No loitering or disturbing neighbors- no trespassing on private property.
4. Participants must use the main entrance for entry and exit.
IF THESE RULES ARE NOT RESPECTED AND ENFORCED, DISCIPLINARY ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AND MAY LEAD TO BEING EXITED FROM THE SHELTER.