must accommodate people regardless of criminal history, or other perceived barriers to entry, like previous non-compliance with a housing plan 4 . It also means taking approaches that address reasons why people may be reluctant to access shelter. This includes providing safe storage for possessions and making safe arrangements for pets within the shelter. In a low barrier model, shelters are expected to promote safety, but not by trying to change or control people or their behaviours. For example, when clients are quite inebriated or under the influence of substances in the common areas of the shelter, staff could ask them to stay in their rooms when in this state. If a client is asked to leave the common areas and stay in their room, staff should make a point of checking on the client periodically, to ensure their physical safety.

In situations of conflict, staff should intervene and encourage those involved to work things out respectfully, offer to mediate, and name abusive behaviour. Clients should still be told to leave the shelter when staff has witnessed the person, or the person has admitted to, being violent or physically intrusive inside the shelter, for example for hitting, kicking, slapping, pushing; throwing objects at someone; any unwanted physical contact; or being verbally abusive repeatedly to the same person.

Immediate access to shelter begins with having shelter options for households of any configuration. This includes couples without children, persons identifying as LGBTQ2S, two-parent households, mothers with teen boys, and self-defined groups or families.

Having immediate and low barrier access to shelter also involves providing predictable and extended access 6 . In addition to being open 24 hours a day, this could include having 24 hour access, or having a reservation system, that allows clients to confirm whether they continue to need their shelter bed or to arrange for late arrivals. This also means not having curfews for those who are working nights.

Providing easy and immediate access to shelter should also involve shelters working closely with outreach teams to intentionally outreach to and engage people who are reluctant to access shelter7. Shelters that cannot serve someone should ensure that the people have access to housing and services elsewhere8.

Diversion Supports

Diversion supports is a type of homelessness early intervention assistance that focuses on helping households avoid a shelter stay by using creative problem-solving, advocacy and flexible assistance to help them identify safe alternatives and supporting them to use their natural supports (ie. family or friends) as well as community resources to address their long-term housing situation.