A low barrier shelter is a type of homeless shelter designed to reduce the obstacles that typically prevent people from accessing shelter services. They aim to be as inclusive and accessible as possible, often implementing policies that make it easier for individuals to receive help.

Key characteristics of Safe Spaces Low Barrier Shelter:

1. Minimal Requirements: Unlike traditional shelters that may have strict entry requirements (such as sobriety, mandatory participation in programs, or extensive intake processes), Safe Space has fewer prerequisites for admission. This means individuals can access our services with fewer restrictions or conditions.

2. Harm Reduction Approach: We believe in the harm reduction philosophy, acknowledging that people may still be dealing with substance use or other issues. Instead of requiring sobriety, we focus on providing a safe and supportive environment where individuals can start to address these issues.

3. Pet-Friendly: Recognizing that pets can be a barrier to accessing shelter, some low barrier shelters allow residents to bring their pets. This accommodation ensures that individuals do not have to choose between their pet and a safe place to sleep.

4. Acceptance of Couples and Families: Many traditional shelters segregate men and women and may not accommodate couples or families. We allow couples to stay together and provide space for families, ensuring that these groups are not separated.

5. Personal Storage: We offer secure storage for personal belongings, addressing a common concern among homeless individuals about the safety of their possessions.

6. Inclusive Services: We provide access to essential services such as case management and street outreach with the goal of connecting individuals to more permanent housing solutions.

By reducing barriers, we aim to serve a broader population, including those who might otherwise remain unsheltered due to the constraints of traditional shelters. The goal is to create a more inclusive and accessible environment that encourages individuals to seek shelter and engage with support services.

Low-Barrier Doesn't Mean Low Standards

Although we have eliminated many barriers that make it difficult for people in need to get help, we do have policies that all guests must follow to use our services. We prohibit the possession and use of drugs, alcohol, and weapons in or around our facilities. Additionally, guests are expected to obey the law and behave in a respectful, non-threatening, and non-disruptive manner.

Low Barrier Navigation Center (LBNC)

Existing law defines a Low Barrier Navigation Center as a Housing First, low-barrier, service-enriched shelter focused on moving people into permanent housing. These centers provide temporary living facilities while case managers connect individuals experiencing homelessness to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and housing. A LBNC is defined as a Housing First, low barrier, temporary, service-enriched shelter focused on helping homeless individuals and families quickly obtain permanent housing. Low barrier includes best practices to reduce barriers to entry, such as allowing partners, pets, storage of personal items, and privacy.

Types of Shelters

• Year-round shelters.

• Temporary shelters.

• Extreme weather winter shelters.

Although the exact definition of "low-barrier" varies greatly depending on who you ask, it essentially means that the requirements for entry are limited or minimal. With a focus on "harm reduction," low-barrier shelters encourage homeless individuals to seek resources by eliminating those obstacles.

'Low barrier' means improving access to shelter services by lowering barriers to entry such as:

• Sobriety requirements

• Income requirements

• Space for couples

• Space for pets

• Minimal documentation requirements

• Flexible curfews and rules

Low-Barrier Doesn't Mean Low Standards