tsparks1307

What kind of shelter model do you guys use? Is it a high barrier i.e. must be sober, looking for work, see a case manager, etc. Or, is it a low barrier, where it's night by night, first come first serve, sobriety not required?

Where I am, we have both models. We have two high barrier shelters, one can house up to 24, the other about 10. In the winter, we have a low barrier shelter at rotating sites. I've been homeless off and on since I was 19, I'm 30 now. I've done a lot of volunteer work with several agencies and groups. It's strange being a guest and a volunteer. I help out for a couple hours, checking people in, helping them get what they need, and then when the shift is over, I'm on the other side of it. There have been a few half-baked attempts at a low barrier summer shelter, but the people who are so adamant about having one, aren't willing to do the work to get one going. We also have serious issues with some of the social workers in the area becoming too personally involved with their clients as well. One of the more prominent members of this group has, unfortunately, done far more damage than good by doing this.