Housing and Homelessness 

 Download PDF 7 Operating Principles Poster 

A Mobilization Guide

Welcome to the Mobilization Guide for the 7 Operating Principles for Emergency Shelter. Thanks for taking a look. We hope these pages will help you and your teams move toward implementation of the Operating Principles wherever you are in the Territory (Bermuda? British Columbia? Thunder Bay?) or wherever you are on your sheltering journey (new building, old building, big or small, overflowing or under-occupied). A word about how this guide should work:

Section 1 outlines how the Territorial Operating Principles for Emergency Shelter came into being, unpacking the rationale behind the principles and the importance of implementing them in all of our shelters as quickly and effectively as possible.

Section 2 sets out a series of Guidelines for better understanding the Operating Principles and the implications they have for day-to-day operations at the Ministry Unit level. We offer advice, examples and in some cases delineate the territory’s preferred approach to shelter policies and procedures.

Mobilization of the Operating Principles may look different, depending on the shelter and its context, so we know we must not only state guidelines but also foster opportunities for Ministry Units to identify their own alignment needs and strategies for implementation. 

Section 3 is meant to guide Ministry Units in tackling those changes together.

Section 4 outlines an alternative case management model to support mobilization of the principles. Some Ministry Units in the Canada & Bermuda Territory have funder-mandated models for assessment, goal planning etc., but others do not. The elements included here are meant to supplement rather than replace those required processes. Ministry Units are encouraged to review, adapt, pick and choose these tools, however they can be helpful.

Section 5 offers a set of key types and terms to support a shared understanding among Salvation Army personnel about our services for people experiencing homelessness.

Of course, this toolkit is by no means the last word from us on this subject. Please never hesitate to get in touch with us in the THQ Social Mission Department. We’re here to help.

Sample Documents, Policies and Resources

Below are several resources relevant to the topics contained in this toolkit. These resources have been collected from a variety of sources.  They are provided as resources which can be used or adapted and tailored to your local ministry situation.