As a social service agency, we value safety and well-being of our clients, employees, and volunteers. It is therefore the policy of Shared Housing Services (SHS) to carefully screen all applicants for any criminal charges, arrests, convictions, and warrants. Applicants are screened through Sound Screening's multistate background check and the Washington State patrol.
Based on the information received by SHS through a completed background check, it is our policy not to refer any applicant to the Host Home Program who has been charged, arrested, or convicted of the following crimes within the last ten years: felonies, thefts, domestic violence, crimes of child or elder abuse, and any actions involving destruction of property or physical violence toward persons. Additionally, any active warrants will also serve as grounds for denial of participation from the program, regardless of how old the warrant is. Applicants must resolve all active warrants and go through the appeal process in order to be reconsidered for participation. Clients who possess a criminal history that features sexual crimes, murder, or voluntary manslaughter within their lifetime will be automatically disqualified and unable to request an appeal.
Upon receipt of an adverse criminal history report, the applicant will be sent a letter denying their application due to relevant criminal history. It will state which crimes fall under the policy criteria as well as procedures to follow if the client wishes to seek review/reconsideration through the appeal process. The client is allowed a period of two months to schedule a criminal appeal appointment. If the client fails to do so within this given timeframe, they will not be able to reapply for entrance into the program for the next two years.
Policy on nondiscrimination: All services offered by SHS are provided in a manner which is free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation (gender identity/expression), national origin, age, handicap, and familial status.