H.O.M.S Household Guidelines

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A message to our new sister –

As-salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

We want to welcome you to the H.O.M.S facility!

This facility is intended to be a safe-haven for Muslim sisters and their children. It is a private and confidential environment that will, insha Allah, enable you to develop and implement a plan of action that will ultimately secure a stable future for you and your child(ren).

We want your stay to be a beneficial one, and we encourage to you to take this opportunity to thank Allah (SWT) for His Blessings and use this facility as your stepping stone to a better situation for this life and for the Hereafter.

You must remember H.O.M.S. is a private and confidential location and must be kept that way for the safety of all residents. Please respect this rule and understand it is imperative that the confidentiality stays top priority.

These guidelines are to by followed by all residents of the H.O.M.S facility, which is provided by the local Muslim Community for sisters in need of shelter and assistance.

Please be aware, that the approval of your application is dependent on the acceptance of these guidelines, as stated in the H.O.M.S. Residential Application and the H.O.M.S Residential Agreement, which is a legal binding contract.

The Islamic guidelines are based on the Quran and Sunnah. These guidelines are for the benefit of preserving your honor, and your protection (as well as the minor children who may be residing at the facility). In addition, these guidelines will aid in establishing a clear understanding of what is expected from you as a potential roommate and as a resident. The sisters living in this facility must remember that they are guests and must treat the home as such.

These guidelines are set forth in order to maintain a comfortable and workable relationship between sisters residing at the H.O.M.S. facility, and to aid in increasing your Iman (faith), insha Allah.

We pray that you will act in a mature and dignified manner by following the rules of Allah (SWT), and have Taqwa (fear of Allah) in your stay at the H.O.M.S facility.

Was-salaam Alaykum,

The H.O.M.S administration and staff

H.O.M.S Household Guidelines

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ISLAMIC GUIDELINES:

1. Residents must pray the 5 obligatory prayers of Fajr, Dhur, Asr, Maghrib and Isha (if you do not know how to pray, a beginner’s prayer booklet will be provided for you to learn). The result for residents who do not perform prayers will be the committee utilizing the *3-Warning Policy.

2. Residents must observe the correct Islamic dress code when outside the home (i.e. loose clothing that covers the entire body, including the head, hair, and feet, with the exception of the face and hands.  Pants are not considered proper Islamic hijab). A wardrobe of Islamic clothing is available at the facility for all residents to use. 

3. Associating with non-mahrem men (including ex-husbands) inside the facility or telephone associations falls under H.O.M.S. *Zero Tolerance Policy and will terminate your residential agreement automatically.

4. Residents must fast during the month of Ramadan with the exception of menstruation and 40 days after the birth of a baby.

5. Residents must attend an Islamic studies class at the local masjid of their choice once a week (a list of these classes will be posted for you). This will aid in strengthening your Iman (faith), insha Allah. And any Islamic classes that are help for the residents inside the home

6. Residents must not display pictures or statues of any living creature with a soul (ex. people, animals or insects) inside the premises of the H.O.M.S. facility. Plant life is acceptable.

7. Residents are not allowed to play any type of music inside the facility. Quran recitation and lecture tapes will be made available in the facility, insha Allah.

BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES:

1. Violence toward fellow residents or committee members falls under the H.O.M.S. *Zero Tolerance Policy and will terminate your residential agreement automatically.

2. Residents must maintain the highest level of respect for one another and for one another’s children. No offensive behavior will be tolerated.

3. Residents must not use profanity.

4. Residents must share all items in the facility including, but not limited to: food, kitchen utensils, Islamic clothing, toiletries, telephone, computers, automobile (if approved) and living space. Anything H.O.M.S. purchases belongs to one individual sister.

5. Meetings will be scheduled in order to discuss these and other issues.  All residents of the H.O.M.S. facility will be required attend all scheduled meetings.

H.O.M.S Household Guidelines

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VISITOR GUIDELINES:

VISITOR GUIDELINES:
1. Residents may not have any visitors in the home at any time. The location of the home is confidential, and it is not permitted to disclose the exact location to friends, family or ex-husbands.  If the resident will be picked up please be picked up at the end of the street so the confidentiality may stay intact.
2. Associating with non-mahrem men (including ex-husbands) inside the facility falls under H.O.M.S. *Zero Tolerance Policy and will terminate your residential agreement automatically.  If the sister needs to set up visitation with the ex-husband all plans must be made far from the H.O.M.S. facility so that the confidentiality will not be lost.  The sister can meet in a public place with the ex-husband for visitation only.  All phone calls to the husband in reference to the children must be made from a pay phone no exceptions.
 

PLAN OF ACTION GUIDELINES:

Residents must devise a strategic Plan of Action within one week of arrival to the 
H.O.M.S. facility consisting of actions which will enable them to become financially independent and make the transition into a self-supported new home. Residents must turn in their Plan of Action in writing to the dorm mother with details including a timeline (maximum timeline three (3) months, see *Length of Stay/Move Out). 
Failure to turn in a Plan of Action within the time allotted, or to follow through with the outlined Plan of Action within the allotted time frame will result in the committee utilizing the H.O.M.S. *3-Warning Policy
 

CLEANLINESS GUIDELINES:

1. The H.O.M.S. facility overall appearance must be neat at all times.

2. Residents must clean up after themselves and their children. It is imperative that all residents be considerate of each other by maintaining a clean and sanitary environment.

3. Clothes, toys and personal belongings must be picked up daily and out away.

4. Dirty dishes must be cleaned and put away after each use.

5. Bathrooms must be kept tidy, and must be cleaned once per week.

6. Beds must be made daily.

7. Carpets must be vacuumed once per week and as needed.

8. Dirty clothes may be washed in the home. 

9. Trash must be properly disposed of in the dumpster daily.  Do not leave trash in front of the door.

H.O.M.S Household Guidelines

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CLEANLINESS GUIDELINES CONTINUED:

10. A chore chart will be posted weekly for the sisters to alternate in cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen, dusting and moping the floors, etc.  This does not include the normal every-day chores such as cleaning the dishes, straightening up, etc.

11. Residents should not move furniture around in the home without permission from the director.
 

Rental Guidelines:

The first thirty ( 30) days with the H.O.M.S facility is at no charge. On the thirty- first (31st) day the following rates will apply. * Please note that the maximum stay for any resident is three (3) months.

1. Single women = $235.00 per month.

2. Mother and one (1) child = $200.00 per month.

3. Mother and two (2) children with her = $165.00 per month.

4. Mother with three ( 3) or more children = $150.00 per month.

5. A $25.00 late fee is due on the fifth (5th) day rent is over due.

6. Not paying the rent falls under H.O.M.S. *Zero Tolerance Policy and will terminate your residential agreement automatically. 

Due to shortage of available finances, H.O.M.S. must collect rent to enable the shelter to stay open. At this time we literally have no other choice. 

AUTOMOBILE GUIDELINES:

1. H.O.M.S. provides, when resources are available, an automobile for residents to use for traveling to the local masjid, the grocery store and to places of employment.  The H.O.M.S. vehicle is not for recreational use. Any resident wanting to utilize the H.O.M.S. automobile, may do so upon approval from the H.O.M.S. staff, and will be subject to a monthly fee of $25.00 

2. Residents must share the automobile provided for the H.O.M.S. facility, and be courteous in regard to usage.  A monthly calendar will be posted in the H.O.M.S. facility where scheduled appointments will be listed. The calendar must be checked before any resident removes the vehicle from the premises, verifying that another sister has not scheduled the vehicle for use at that time. The automobile must be returned to the facility approximately thirty ( 30) minutes before any scheduled appointment.

3. Residents must keep the automobile clean at all times.

H.O.M.S Household Guidelines

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AUTOMOBILE GUIDELINES CONTINUED:

4. Residents who abuse this privilege will have their car privilege revoked.

5. Residents will be fully legally and financial responsible for any and all accidents and/or injuries caused as a result of their driving. 

6. Any automobile maintenance problem must be reported immediately to Dorm Mother. Her phone number will be listed on the emergency contact list located on the refrigerator black board.

7. Resident driving the car must make sure there is a copy of the insurance in the 
glove box along with a list of emergency numbers in case of emergency. 
 

USE & MAINTENANCE OF COMPUTERS GUIDELINES: 

1. H.O.M.S. provides, when possible, computers for residential job training and 
educational purposes. 

2. Residents may not delete any program or install any program without prior written permission by the committee.

3. Residents must share the computers provided for the H.O.M.S. facility, and be courteous in regard to usage.

4. Residents are provided Internet access, when possible, for educational and business usage only. 

5. Residents must not use the Internet connection to view Islamically inappropriate material. NOTE: Internet browsers will be checked regularly for violations. Viewing Islamically inappropriate materials falls under the *Zero Tolerance Policy and will terminate your residential agreement automatically.

6. Residents may not change the settings on the H.O.M.S computers to their personal preferences.

7. Any computer related maintenance problem must be reported immediately to the dorm mother. Their phone number will be listed on the emergency contact list located on the refrigerator or black board.

10. First priority regarding computer time will be given to those sisters who are studying, or are looking for work.  A schedule of computer times will be worked out between the sisters residing in the H.O.M.S facility.
 

H.O.M.S Household Guidelines

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TELEPHONE GUIDELINES:

1. Residents will be provided with a telephone for local calls. However, incoming calls are allowed only from H.O.M.S. staff members. Residents will not be given the phone number in the shelter. If a resident needs to give a contact number to family members or for a possible job position, residents are to use the following toll-free  number: 1-877-335-4667 ( or the local number 817-461-1835 which should be used sparingly). The director will forward the message to residents, and in turn the resident may then return the call.

2. Residents must share the telephone provided for the H.O.M.S. facility, and be courteous in regard to usage.

3. Residents must acquire a pre-paid telephone card in order to make any long distance calls.

4. Residents are not allowed to use the 411-information feature or the operator assistance feature; they must use the yellow pages directory.

5. Residents who charge any service on the H.O.M.S facility telephone line will be financially responsible for that service, and a *Warning will be issued.

6. Residents are not allowed to associate with non-mahrem men (including ex-husbands) unless it is to set up visitation for children.  However, this situation must be handled carefully so that the confidentiality of the shelter is not compromised. Any other contact via the telephone falls under H.O.M.S. *Zero Tolerance Policy and will terminate your residential agreement automatically.
 

PERSONAL PROPERTY GUIDELINES:

1. Residents must be responsible for their personal belongings.

2. H.O.M.S is not responsible for damaged, lost or stolen property.

3. H.O.M.S. is not responsible for mail than continues to come to the facility after the resident no longer lives there.  
All mail should go to the H.O.M.S. P.O. Box address to insure the confidentiality of the shelter. The post office box address is:
H.O.M.S. 
P.O. Box 152611
Arlington, TX 76015 

4. Sr. Tanya will deliver the mail. Do not give out your home address to anyone. No resident is to accept mail at the H.O.M.S. facility.
 

H.O.M.S Household Guidelines

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MINOR CHILDREN GUIDELINES:

1. Residents who have minor children may not leave their children unattended at any time in the H.O.M.S. facility under any circumstance.

2. Leaving minor children unattended falls under H.O.M.S. *Zero Tolerance Policy and will terminate your residential agreement automatically.

3. Residents must be considerate to others that have children and vice versa.

4. Residents who have children are responsible for cleaning up after children and disposing of children’s dirty diapers and not leaving them in the home.

5. No male child over the age of 10 are allowed in the H.O.M.S. facility.  If while living in the H.O.M.S. facility, the male child will have his 10th birthday, the resident must make plans to move out of the facility. 
 

INSPECTIONS:

1. Residents must be aware that female committee members may inspect the H.O.M.S. facility at any time, day or night, without prior notice.

2. Should a problem or potential problem be identified during the inspection, the responsible resident will be informed immediately in writing. The responsible resident will be allotted a 24-hour time period to correct the situation. After re-inspection, if the situation has not been corrected, further action will be taken, and a *Warning will be given.
 

MAINTENANCE OF FACILITY GUIDELINES:

Any maintenance problem must be reported immediately to Sr. Tanya. Her phone number will be listed on the emergency contact list located on the refrigerator.

* ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY:

H.O.M.S. has zero tolerance for the following behaviors:
1. Drugs
2. Smoking
3. Alcohol
4. Violence
5. Theft
6. Associating with non-mahrem men (including ex-husbands) 
7. Leaving minor children unattended
8. Not paying agreed upon rental rate 

H.O.M.S Household Guidelines

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* ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY CONTINUED:

The consequence of residents who choose to display any of the listed behaviors will be immediate and automatic termination of their residential agreement and immediate removal from the H.O.M.S premises.
 

*3-WARNING POLICY:

H.O.M.S offer its residents a 3-Warning Policy. The H.O.M.S Household Guidelines must be strictly adhered to. Residents who violate the Household Guidelines will be given 3- Warnings in writing. 

The 3rd Warning will result in the immediate and automatic termination of their residential agreement and immediate removal from the premises.

After a written warning is issued, residents will be given a 24-hour time period to correct the situation.

1st Violation – 1st Warning in writing, 24 hrs to correct situation, re-inspection if needed 
2nd Violation – 2nd Warning in writing and final notification will be given
3rd Violation – 3rd Warning constitutes automatic termination of residential agreement and immediate removal from the premises.
 

EMERGENCIES:

In case of an emergency, please call 911, and if possible, one of the emergency contact numbers located on the refrigerator.

LENGTH OF STAY/MOVE OUT GUIDELINES:

All residents agree to, and are aware, that maximum residential stay at the H.O.M.S. facility is three (3) months. Residents also agree to, and are aware that during those three (3) months, all H.O.M.S. residents must follow through with their *Plan of Action to prepare themselves for independent living during that time. Residents agree and understand, that upon competition of the three (3) month maximum stay, they must move out of the H.O.M.S. facility. Residents also agree that they will not resist or cause a public disturbance regarding this issue, and that if this situation occurs, the police will be called and the offending resident will be physically removed from the premises. Public disturbances or arguments with any member of the H.O.M.S. staff falls under the *Zero Tolerance Policy. This policy is in place for the safety of the other residents and the staff of H.O.M.S.

H.O.M.S Household Guidelines

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FUTURE REVISIONS & ADDITIONS OF HOUSEHOLD GUIDELINES:

The H.O.M.S board reserves the right to make any revision or addition to the H.O.M.S. Household Guidelines at any time, without written notice to residents. 

In addition, residents must comply with any new program or guideline that is approved by the H.O.M.S. board and is added to the aforementioned household guidelines.

I, ____________________________, acknowledge that I have read the H.O.M.S Household Guidelines completely, and I understand the terms of my residence. I also acknowledge that I have received a personal copy of the Household Guidelines Handbook.
 
Resident’s Signature     __________________________             
Date _________________________________________

Witness Signature ______________________________             Date___________________________________
 
Witness Signature  ______________________________            Date____________________________________