Securing Compassion: Trends and Security Perspectives for Shelter & Transitional Housing Operators

Providing the security and safety needs of residents, social workers/ employees, and the community in which these facilities operate is one of the most demanding in the security industry. We pride ourselves on being one of the first companies many state and city officials call for their shelter housing security needs. And our strong working relationships with dozens of not-for-profit and mission-based organizations that administrate these facilities demonstrates our “We Care” philosophy. That is why we proudly offer the following trends and perspectives on this delicate, but important, subject of safety & security services to these facilities.

3 Perspectives for Shelter Facility Operators

1 The locations vary, as do the conditions

Virtually all traditional shelters reside in brick-and-mortar locations, usually commercial buildings or housing in residential neighborhoods. Many traditional housing facilities afford residents some level of living discretion/privacy, although many have strict privacy rules preventing access from outside visitors/guests. Homeless and transitional housing shelters that operate in local communities may have added security needs (given the sensitive nature of their mission) so security and guard professionalism are key considerations for the operators of such facilities.

2. The professional temperament of the officer

Perhaps the greatest consideration is the guard themselves; specifically, the temperament of the Security Officer and the suitability for the environment and residents at each facility. Officer(s) placed in a domestic abuse shelter may not be the same officer assigned to an asylum shelter. Professional character, situational awareness, and of course an appreciation for the humanitarian aspects of the job are important traits that a contract security company should consider when hiring guards for service in this sector.

3. Officer certification, training, and other requirements vary

To conduct security service in shelters, guards must meet various training and certification requirements. First, there’s the New York State-mandated 8- and 16-hour security guard certifications. Security officers working in shelters in New York City must also complete a 40-hour Security Guard training within 120 days of hire – under Local Law 124, a program that Arrow Security helped create with City officials.

There are also local requirements that need to be met. For example, in New York, entities that operate in this sector must also have personnel who meet FDNY requirements, including Coordinators of Fire Safety and Alarm Systems Certificate of Fitness (F80) and Certificate of Fitness Fire Guards for Homeless Shelters (F02). Some may even require security staff that possess an FDNY Fire Life Safety Director (FLSD) Certificate of Fitness. More and more, special training such as CPR/AED, Narcan, and de-escalation are mandated by local requirements. Crisis prevention/intervention training, while not mandated, are becoming widely preferred guards who work in shelters. Furthermore, guards that work in domestic abuse and family shelters also need Mandated Reporter training as part of the New York State requirements.