Legal Definitions - family shelter

A family shelter is a temporary housing facility specifically designed to provide safe accommodation and supportive services for parents or guardians and their children who are experiencing homelessness. These shelters aim to keep families together during a crisis, offering not just a place to sleep but often also meals, case management, educational support for children, and assistance with finding permanent housing and employment.

• Example 1: After a devastating apartment fire left them without a home, a single father and his two teenage daughters had no immediate place to stay. They were referred to a local family shelter, which provided them with a private room, access to laundry facilities, and connections to community resources for clothing and school supplies, ensuring the girls could continue their education without interruption.

  Explanation: This scenario illustrates a family shelter providing immediate, temporary housing and essential support services to a family displaced by an unforeseen disaster, helping them maintain stability and stay together during a difficult period.

• Example 2: A young couple with a toddler found themselves evicted from their rental property after one parent lost their job and they could no longer afford rent. With no family or friends able to take them in, they turned to a family shelter. The shelter offered them a secure environment, provided childcare assistance, and connected them with job placement services and affordable housing programs.

  Explanation: This demonstrates a family shelter assisting a family facing economic hardship and eviction, offering crucial support to keep the family unit intact while they work towards regaining financial stability and securing permanent housing.

• Example 3: A mother and her three young children had to leave their previous living situation due to unsafe conditions and an inability to secure stable housing. They found refuge at a family shelter that offered them a safe space, nutritious meals, and access to counseling services for the children to help them cope with the transition, while also assisting the mother in her search for long-term housing.

  Explanation: This example highlights a family shelter providing a secure and supportive environment for a family needing to escape an unsafe living situation, prioritizing the children's well-being and offering resources to help the family move towards a more stable future.