Faye Peterson House

Maintaining Low-Barrier Admissions

Faye Peterson House maintains low-barrier access to shelter by:

• Supporting survivors regardless of drug use;
• Focusing on safety rather than drug use alone;
• Using individualized responses to behavioural concerns rather than discharge whenever possible;
• Providing participants with private safes in bedrooms for personal belongings; and
• Recognizing that rigid abstinence-based approaches can create barriers to safety for survivors fleeing violence.

Creating Flexible & Participant-Centred Expectations

Faye Peterson House’s approach is grounded in individualized support, participant autonomy, and safety planning. Practices include:

• Emphasizing that survivors have the right to determine the direction of their own lives according to their own values and beliefs;
• Responding to situations individually rather than through automatic punishment; and
• Using conversations, support, and safety planning before considering more restrictive responses.

Fostering Safe & Trusting Environments

Faye Peterson House incorporates several practices aimed at increasing safety, trust, and participant support, including:

• Limiting police involvement in situations involving drug use or possession unless broader safety concerns are present;
• Using conversations, de-escalation, and support before involving child protection services;
• Employing staff with lived experience of drug use;
• Offering debriefing, supervision, and mental health supports for staff;
• Providing confidential counselling, advocacy, and crisis intervention services; and
• Offering support groups focused on healing, self-esteem, boundaries, stress management, and self-care.

Embedding Harm Reduction & Health Supports

Faye Peterson House integrates harm reduction and health supports into shelter operations through:

• Anonymous access to harm reduction supplies, including naloxone and safer drug-use equipment;
• “Lifeguard Lite” overdose response systems in shelter bathrooms;
• Referrals to HIV, HCV, STBBI, mental health, addiction, and community health services;
• Partnerships with local harm reduction and healthcare organizations;
• Staff training related to harm reduction and overdose response; and
• Conversations about safer use, overdose prevention, and community-based supports.

Recognizing Women’s Intersecting Identities

Faye Peterson House recognizes the overlapping impacts of violence, trauma, drug use, poverty, housing instability, discrimination, and systems involvement. Practices include:

• Promoting trans inclusion and advocacy within shelter and outreach services;
• Providing parenting support, child-related services, and early childhood education supports;
• Supporting survivors involved in family court, custody, and legal processes; and
• Offering specialized supports for survivors aged 55 and older.