Vet House Occupancy Rules

VET HOUSE

NPDCD, Incorporated

18 New Street

Danbury, CT

 

Occupancy Rules and Requirements

 

CABLE AND COMPUTERS

Each apartment is equipped with a TV in the living room.  Cable installation and service expenses are the responsibility of the veterans in each apartment.  It is permitted for each veteran to have his/her own TV in his or her bedroom but you must arrange and pay for your own cable hookup.  Lines for computer hookup in the apartment are provided by arrangement of NPDCD, Inc. and use of such equipment is subject to approval and conditions established by NPDCD, Inc.

 

CARS/PARKING

Residents may have cars parked on Vet House property subject only to approval by NPDCD, Inc.  All vehicles must be registered and insured.  NPDCD, Inc. is not responsible for any cars parked on the property.

 

EMERGENCIES

In case of an emergency (i.e. personal, fire/safety, violence, intruders, etc) CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.  After calling 911, call your case manager or designated NPDCD staff member on the list provided to you and posted in the apartment.  Staff is available 24/7 for emergency calls.  If a designated staff member does not answer his/her phone, please LEAVE A MESSAGE on the staff member’s voicemail and then call the secondary name on the list.  IN THE CASE OF ANY REAL EMERGENCY CALL 911 SO THAT POLICE, FIRE OR OTHER EMERGENCY PERSONNEL CAN BE DISPATCHED TO THE HOUSE ASAP.  Please notify your case manager or designated NPDCD staff if emergency personnel are dispatched to Vet House.

 

FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTIONS

Inspections of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are done routinely as determined by the VA and local codes.  NPDCD may conduct the required inspections or inspections may be done by a qualified agent, NPDCD representative or vendor.  Residents are expected to cooperate with all fire and safety inspections of the facility.

 

IN CASE OF FIRE:  RACE

·         R:  Remove self and others

·         A:  Activate alarm and dial 911

·         C:  Close doors

·         E:  Evacuate the building

              

 

KEYS AND LOCKS

You will receive two keys:  one for your apartment and one for your bedroom.  Duplication of keys is prohibited.  If you lose your key, please notify your Vet House case manager or NPDCD property manager and NPDCD will replace the key.  There may be a fee charged if keys are repeatedly lost.  You are prohibited from adding or replacing existing locks on your own.  Difficulties with keys and locks should be reported to your Vet House case manager or NPDCD property manager.

 

APPLIANCES

The following appliances are prohibited and must not be used in individual rooms:  toaster, toaster oven, microwave, hot coils, hot plate, electric frying pan, coffee pot, coffee maker, extension cords, crock pot, portable heater and candles.  Only appliances and products approved by NPDCD’s property manager are permitted to be used anywhere on the premises.  You must receive approval from NPDCD before purchasing or acquiring any appliance for use in Vet House.  Any items utilizing an open flame are strictly forbidden.

 

CLEANLINESS AND HOUSEKEEPING

All residents are required to keep their bedrooms clean and participate in housekeeping chose for common areas of the apartment and the outside yard.

 

Residents must keep their bedroom clean and accomplish the following tasks:

 

·         Bed made

·         Clothes picked up from the floor

·         Personal items stored neatly in closet or bureau

·         Rug and/or floor vacuumed

·         No food or food containers stored in bedroom

 

Every resident must ensure that the bathroom is clean and sanitary:

 

·         Sink cleaned after each use

·         Tub and shower rinsed and drain cleaned after each use

·         Toilet and area around toilet cleaned at least once per week, or immediately when an accident occurs.

·         Personal toiletry items kept in neat order either in bathroom or carried from bedroom

 

Every resident must ensure that the kitchen is clean and sanitary:

 

·         Counters cleaned and sanitized daily

·         Top of stove cleaned and sanitized after each use

·         Oven cleaned as needed and spills cleaned immediately

·         Food kept in refrigerator must be wrapped or in closed containers

·         No dirty dishes left in sink

·         Floor swept daily and cleaned/sanitized weekly

·         Empty trash as needed, immediately when full or producing odors

·         Keep soda cans in a container in designated storage area to prevent pests

 

Every resident must ensure that the living room is clean and sanitary:

 

·         Conduct daily “pick up”

·         Rugs and carpets vacuumed every couple of days

·         Wood floors swept and vacuumed weekly

·         Linoleum or tile floors cleaned weekly

·         Dusting/cleaning weekly or more often if needed

 

Every resident must share in yard work:

 

·         Snow removal

·         Grass cutting

·         Raking and removing leaves

·         Sweeping/cleaning pathways, driveway and steps

·         Plant/garden/landscape watering, weeding and maintenance

·         Trash cans put out for pick up and area cleaned up as needed

 

GUESTS

No guests are allowed in Vet House unless there is a planned activity that is approved by your Vet House case manager.  NPDCD must maintain strict oversight of the safety of the residents and comply with grant program regulations.  Upon discharge from the program, former residents are not allowed back in Vet House to visit with current residents without approval from the Vet House case manager or the NPDCD property manager.

 

CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF TIME

Residents are expected and required to complete an approved (minimum) 20 hours per week of goal oriented, structured activity, AA/NA activities or group meetings and other treatment/supportive activities and group sessions.

 

ABSENCES FROM FACILITY

In order to provide residents with ample opportunity for work and support group/social activity, there is no nightly curfew at Vet House.  All residents are expected to exercise common courtesy regarding peace and quiet during the evening hours in the facility.  If residents plan on being away from Vet House for an overnight stay or for extended time away from the transitional program, Vet House staff may review whether you are truly homeless and lacking available alternate housing options.  The Vet House transitional program is designed to serve homeless veterans in need.  If residents are determined to have available alternate services you may be asked to give up your place in the facility so that a deserving veteran on the waiting can make use of the room.

 

MEAL PREPARATION AND STORAGE

Residents are responsible for purchasing food and preparing meals.  Food left over from meals should be placed in appropriate containers and kept in the refrigerator along with other perishable foods.  All food items are to be stored in the kitchen in order to promote proper sanitation and prevent pest infestation.  All foods kept in dry storage should be kept tightly covered and stored neatly.  NPDCD will contract with a licensed pest control operator if necessary to conduct regular preventative treatments for pests.

 

HOUSE MEETINGS

All residents are required to attend a weekly house meeting.  House meetings will be held at a time that will be most convenient for our veterans and Vet House staff (usually late afternoon or early evening).  Work obligations, approved classes, treatment meetings and medical appointment will be accepted as appropriate reasons to be absent from house meetings if approved before-hand by Vet House staff.  In the case of approved absences, other arrangements for the communication of information discussed at house meetings will be made.  Residents should note, however, that house meetings are intended as an essential means of support for a healthy life style and for building community spirit among residents.

 

INSPECTIONS

Vet House staff or case managers will make rounds of each apartment at an unscheduled time on a daily/nightly basis.  The NPDCD property manager or representative will conduct routine fire safety and physical inspections of units weekly or as needed.  Any damages found during these inspections will be documented and the responsible resident will be required to pay for damages.  Consequently, it is important for residents to promptly report any accidental damages or needed repairs to the Vet House

property manager.

 

LAUNDRY FACILITIES

Vet House is equipped with washer and dryer facilities for the use of all residents.  Each person must keep this area clean and be considerate of other residents.  Laundry should not be left in the washer or dryer after the cycle has been completed nor should laundry be allowed to accumulate in the laundry area.  Empty bleach and detergent containers should be disposed of properly.

 

MAIL

In order to receive mail at your assigned unit you must make sure that your name is put on the mailbox by Vet House staff.  Residents should remove mail from the mailbox daily and try to arrange to have packages delivered when someone is at the facility to receive them.

 

PERSONAL APPEARANCE

All residents are expected to maintain proper personal hygiene and to maintain a neat appearance.  Due to unscheduled daily tours by Vet House staff, sometimes accompanied by authorized agency visitors, residents should be properly attired at all time in the shared living areas and common areas.

 

PETS

No pets are permitted in any portions of Vet House, including units, rooms, shared living areas, common areas, basement and exterior yard.

 

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

The possession or use of drugs or alcohol anywhere on the premises is strictly prohibited, either by residents or guests.  Violation of this prohibition will lead to expulsion or eviction from Vet House.

 

SMOKING

Smoking inside any portion of Vet House (including rooms, units, shared living areas, common areas, hallways, stairs, entryways, basement and attic) is absolutely forbidden and strictly enforced.  Smoking in Vet House is a serious violation of fire safety codes and regulations.  Any resident in the transitional program found to be in violation of this prohibition will be immediately discharged.  Any resident in the permanent units found to be in violation of this prohibition will be subject to lease termination and eviction.

 

RESIDENTIAL FEES

All residents of the transitional units must pay a residential fee of 30% of their monthly income from all sources.  The minimum fee is $300.00 per month, or $75.00 per week for those paying weekly.  The fee must be paid by money order or bank check.  No personal checks will be accepted.  Money order and bank checks are to be made out to NPDCD, Incorporated and mailed or presented in person to the Vet House property manager at 323 Main Street, Danbury, CT, 06810.

 

Residents must report any change in their income to their case manager or Vet House property manager within 72 hours.  Any resultant increase or decrease in the amount of your residential fee will take effect on the 15th day of the following month.

 

Payment of the residential fee is regarded as a resident’s first obligation toward attaining independent living status.  As such, any resident who does not meet this monthly obligation in a timely manner and in full will be discharged from the transitional housing program.  In such cases every effort will be made by NPDCD, utilizing the VA and other service agencies, to locate emergency housing for the resident being discharged.  However, lack of available emergency housing, or refusal of the resident to accept such housing, will not prevent the discharge of the resident.

 

Residents of the four permanent housing units will be expected to promptly pay their portion of the monthly rental charge in accordance with the terms of their lease agreement.  Failure to do so will result in lease termination and eviction.

 

 

MEDICATIONS

No drugs or medications are to stored or used at Vet House without the prior knowledge and approval of Vet House case management staff.  Prescribed medications must be taken as directed by your doctor.  Failure of a resident to comply with a doctor’s orders relative to taking medications may result in discharge from the transitional program or termination of the lease agreement for the permanent units.  Likewise, taking prescribed medications inappropriately or abusing over the counter medications may be evaluated for possible action by Vet House staff.

 

Residents must keep all medications in their bedroom and residents must keep the bedroom door locked if they leave their room.  Veterans recovering from substance abuse or undergoing on-going treatments related to substance abuse may not use over-the-counter medications containing alcohol or other prohibited substances without the explicit written permission of their physician.

 

RELAPSE

As previously outlined, Vet House is a drug and alcohol free facility and residents are required to refrain from the possession or use of drugs and alcohol as a condition of residence.  Residents will be required to undergo toxicology testing to ensure that they are drug and alcohol free. 

 

Alcohol and drug use by residents will be determined by any one of the following methods:

 

·         Self-reporting by resident

·         Positive toxicology test results (urine, blood or hair)

·         Positive breathalyzer reading

·         Witnessed use by Vet House staff

·         Failure of the resident to submit to a breathalyzer or toxicology test upon demand by Vet House staff.

·         Observation of and evidence of apparent intoxication or impairment

·         Failure to give urine specimen within a reasonable specified period; leaving building without giving a required specimen or refusing to remain under staff supervision while providing a urine sample.

 

Should a resident suffer a relapse from sobriety, Vet House staff may, in consultation with members of the resident’s treatment team) assist the resident to get back into treatment and support the resident as he/she renews their commitment to sober living.  Residents who relapse will immediately be suspended from Vet House and must begin active treatment by an approved provider.  The resident must turn their keys over to a Vet House staff member and staff will secure the resident’s belongings for as long as they are actively in treatment or for seventy-two hours if discharged from the program.  While on suspension, residents will not be permitted to return to Vet House or loiter near the property.

 

While a resident is in treatment, they will be expected to pay their residential fee in full and on time.  During the period of the suspension, Vet House staff will discuss with your treatment team the disposition of your compliance with treatment and your prognosis for recovery.  The Vet House case manager, in consultation with VA staff and the resident’s treatment provider, will determine if the resident will be permitted to return to Vet House and continue in the transitional housing program or if the resident will be discharged from Vet House.

 

For the good of the individual resident in question as well as the health and well-being of other residents in the Vet House community, violations of the sobriety policy and relapse protocol cannot be tolerated by the Vet House transitional housing program.  The relapse policy is intended to treat an initial relapse with a mixture of firmness and support- giving a resident the chance to continue in the program after receiving the treatment he/she needs.  However, failure of a resident to comply with the relapse protocol will unfortunately require that the resident be discharged from the program.  Likewise, any subsequent relapse would have to be considered a serious breach of policy potentially meriting firmer action on the part of Vet House.

 

GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL FROM THE TRANSITIONAL PROGRAM

It is the responsibility of Vet House to ensure a healthy, safe, supportive and financially sound environment for its veterans in residence.  Therefore, everyone is expected to demonstrate respect and restrain when interacting with other residents, staff, visitors and neighbors.  Each resident deserves to be, and can expect to be, treated with dignity and respect by staff and other residents.  To ensure the safety and supportive environment needed by all residents of Vet House, residents are hereby made aware that the following actions will result in immediate discharge from the Vet House transitional housing program:

 

·         Relapse to use of alcohol, drugs or other illicit substances

·         Inviting guests into the unit

·         Violence (physical/verbal/threatening) towards residents, staff, guests or neighbors

·         Use of racial and ethnic slurs/comments

·         Theft

·         Failure to pay residential fee in a full and timely manner

·         Non-participation in cleaning of the unit, common living areas, common areas and yard

·         Non-compliance with VA treatment plans

·         Revoking or limiting Releases of Information required by the VA and Vet House

·         Failure to notify Vet House staff of overnight absences form Vet House

·         Violation of any program guidelines

·         Possession of firearms, explosives or other weapons

 

Firearms, explosives or weapons on the premises by residents are not allowed under ANY circumstances.  A resident who violates this regulation will be immediately removed from his unit and discharged from the program.  The appropriate law enforcement agency will also be notified and charges will be filed in accordance with all applicable laws.

 

Please be aware that if a resident is discharged from the facility for any of the reasons outlined, Vet House will attempt to locate emergency housing for the resident being discharged for cause.  However, this will not delay or prevent immediate discharge if there are concerns about safety issues potentially arising from the continuing presence of the resident in Vet House.  

 

THANKS AND GOOD LUCK

We thank you for your cooperation with our rules and guidelines and look forward to working with you while at Vet House to secure your goals for a happy and productive life.