Emergency Housing Shelters operating within the City of San José must follow these criteria:
- Shelter services must be provided with dignity, care, and concern for the individuals involved.
- The Shelter should be operated by a non-profit corporation with a bona fide professional staff and an independent Board of Directors.
- The buildings used to shelter the homeless should comply with City, County and State Building, Fire and Health Codes, and must be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition at all times, unless exemptions have been obtained from the appropriate agencies.
- In all Shelters, there should be adequate separation of families and singles, and adequate separation of single women.
- It is preferable that Shelter space be made available to individuals and families by a phone reservation process. However, when this is impossible because of special circumstances, the waiting lines should be made inconspicuous and should be on the property whenever possible.
- No drugs, no alcohol, and no weapons will be allowed on Shelter property at any time. (If guests have a legal weapon, it should be checked in with Shelter staff.)
- No disorderly conduct will be tolerated. No threatening and no abusive language will be tolerated. No excessive noise will be tolerated, e.g. loud radios etc.
- Smoking will be restricted to designated areas.
- All guests should maintain their own area in an orderly condition and should be assigned some other responsibilities or tasks at the Shelter.
- There should be definitive arrival, check-in/check-out times, and restrictions on staying in the area of the Shelter.
- Supportive services relating to the homeless condition of the guests should be provided directly or indirectly, e.g.: job counseling, tenant education, help to obtain permanent housing, help to provide for school attendance of children, etc.
- There should be at least one paid staff person on-site at all times when guests are there. Paid staff may be supplemented by the use of volunteers.
