We Are a Low-barrier Shelter
Why a low-barrier model?
A low-barrier shelter is an integral part of an effective homeless response system. South Park Inn does not operate as a stand-alone shelter. We are a part of an entire system designed to address homelessness from the moment someone is at risk of losing housing to assisting people to access and maintain housing. While being part of an effective system is important, South Park Inn is a low-barrier shelter to serve those who need services the most.
Our doors stay open
Being a low-barrier shelter means that South Park Inn does not require sobriety as a condition of shelter. We do not require background checks, income, participation in services, or identification to access shelter and services. We do not have a specific length of time people can stay and we do not ask people to leave for things that do not relate directly to safety. Being low-barrier is about looking at all the reasons people do not come into shelter and eliminating those the best we can. Often people will not accept shelter because the shelter will not accept their pet, therefore we do our best to accommodate people with pets.
We serve the most vulnerable
The people who are the most vulnerable tended to be the people who would not come into shelter. Someone who is addicted to alcohol would fear coming to shelter due to not being able to be sober and being turned away or being made to feel ashamed of her or his addiction. This is the person who needs the most help to get into and maintain housing. This is the person who is at risk of freezing to death while sleeping outside during the winter months. While South Park Inn does not allow alcohol on the premises, we will accept this person into our shelter and create a supportive environment around this person to help her or him overcome homelessness.
We’re committed to saving lives
South Park Inn adopted a low-barrier shelter model to be able to provide a life-saving intervention to those who need it the most. A low-barrier shelter is an integral part of an effective homeless service delivery system but more importantly, low-barrier shelter saves lives.