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WISCONSIN ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
CHAPTER COMM 150. SHELTER FOR HOMELESS PERSONS
Date:
08/31/2009
Document:
Comm 150.04 Criteria for determining eligibility for a grant.
An applicant, including all shelter agencies participating in the application, shall meet the following requirements to be eligible for a grant:
(1) TYPE OF APPLICANT. The applicant shall be:
(a) A county or municipal governing body or a federally recognized tribal agency;
(b) A community action agency, as defined in s. 46.30 (2) (a), Stats., or
(c) A nonprofit organization, as defined in s. 108.02 (19), Stats.
(2) PROHIBITED USES. The applicant shall give assurances that no part of the grant will be used to:
(a) Make security deposits or pay rent for permanent housing;
(b) Provide shelter in a private home;
(c) Construct a new shelter facility;
(d) Operate a shelter care facility licensed under ch. 48, Stats.;
(e) Operate a shelter facility or private home providing shelter for victims of domestic abuse;
(f) Operate a community-based residential facility licensed under ch. HFS 83; or
(g) Operate an agency that provides only shelter information and referral or housing relocation services.
(3) ORGANIZATIONAL CAPABILITY. The applicant shall demonstrate that it is organizationally capable of meeting the requirements of this chapter by documenting:
(a) Experience in providing services to needy or homeless persons;
(b) That a substantial portion of its budget can be supported by revenue from other sources;
(c) Staff capability and experience in managing funds; and
(d) Support from existing service providers in the community.
(4) NEED. (a) The applicant shall demonstrate that there is a need in the community for the development, expansion or continuation of shelter services.
(b) The applicant shall indicate a need for additional funding in its proposed operating budget resulting from:
1. A need to renovate or expand the existing shelter facility, which may include renovation to improve physical accessibility;
2. A need to develop an existing building into a shelter facility.
3. A need to expand shelter services for homeless persons; or
4. An inability to obtain adequate funding to continue the provision of an existing level of shelter services.
(5) TARGET GROUP. The applicant shall give assurance that shelter services are fully accessible to homeless individuals and families and that:
(a) There is no requirement for residency, payment, or participation in religious activity as a condition for receiving shelter services;
(b) Shelter agencies serving only families or only individuals have procedures for helping other homeless persons obtain shelter;
(c) Shelter agencies make shelter and other services accessible to persons with physical disabilities or have procedures for helping those persons obtain accessible shelter; and
(d) Shelter agencies meet state equal employment opportunity requirements under subch. II of ch. 111, Stats.
(6) REQUIRED SERVICES. The applicant shall give assurances that each shelter agency included in the application provides at least the following services:
(a) Shelter;
(b) Intake, including an interview with the homeless person to determine the extent of the person's needs; and
(c) Information and referral.
(7) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION. The applicant shall provide evidence that it is coordinating its services with those of other shelter agencies, the local sheriff or police department, the county social services or human services department established under s. 46.034, 46.21, 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23, Stats., and county departments established under ss. 51.42 and 51.437, Stats. Coordination shall include:
(a) Interagency referral procedures; and
(b) Orientation of staff regarding services provided by these agencies.
(8) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SHELTER FACILITIES. The applicant shall provide evidence that each shelter facility included in the application meets additional requirements as follows:
(a) The shelter facility has been inspected to ensure that it complies with chs. Comm 61 to 65;
(b) The shelter facility is inspected twice a year under s. 101.14, Stats., to ensure that it is in compliance with all applicable fire safety codes;
(c) The shelter facility has a written safety plan which includes:
1. Fire safety procedures;
2. Building evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency; and
3. Staff responsibilities regarding medical and mental health emergencies; and
(d) The shelter facility ensures that staff are in the facility whenever homeless persons are present in the facility.
(9) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY THAT ADMINISTERS GENERAL RELIEF. When the applicant is a county, tribal or municipal governing body or agency that administers general relief under s. 49.02, Stats., the applicant shall meet the following additional requirements to be eligible for funds under this chapter:
(a) The cost of providing shelter that is funded by general relief shall be excluded from the applicant's proposed operating budget;
(b) The applicant's estimated shelter days may not include shelter days paid for by general relief;
(c) A shelter facility or voucher program operated by the applicant shall be available to serve all homeless persons whether or not they are eligible for general relief; and
(d) The applicant shall ensure that funds received under this chapter are not expended to supplant or reduce shelter benefits that the governing body is obligated to provide under s. 49.02, Stats.
(10) WAIVER OF ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA. The department may waive any requirement under this section if the department determines that an alternative to the requirement provides for the housing and protection of homeless persons and does not violate s. 560.9808, Stats.
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