Getting a Halfway House Approved for Parolees in California
Halfway houses, also known as transitional housing, provide a structured environment for those released from prison to live while they readjust to being in the free world. California subsidizes the cost of running a halfway house for parolees; therefore, getting the house approved to accept parolee tenants can be lucrative.
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Get the House Ready
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Take care of all needed repairs. The house must be clean, in good working order and have acceptable plumbing and electricity. Check with your local codes department to know how many beds can be placed in each bedroom. Install all required fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and porch hand railings. Obtain an appropriate business license as well as a conditional use permit showing the property is zoned to accept a transitional house on it.
Furnish It
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Furnish the house with basic necessities. Bedroom, living room and dining room furniture as well as kitchen dishes and appliances should be in place before approaching the county or state for approval.
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Apply to the County
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Apply to your county's Department of Social Services to have your transitional house plan approved. This must be done before you submit a proposal to the state to provide services. The county typically sends an inspector to the house to check for bedrooms, plumbing, electricity, furnishings and power. He will inform you whether you pass inspection or leave you a list of things you must correct. Once they are corrected, another inspection can be requested. If everything is corrected, he will declare you ready for business and the department will send you an approval letter.
Submit Proposal
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Read the specifications on the call for bidding in your local area. It will denote how many parolees the house must be able to accommodate as well as any other required stipulations for that particular bid proposal. Once you determine your halfway house complies, submit your proposal to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Bid the cost within the advertised bidding parameters. For example, if the estimated value listed in the call for bids is $145,000 to $399,000, your bid must fall between those figures or be excluded from the competition. Determine how much to bid based on what it will cost you to run the home, including mortgage payments, repairs, power, water and other expenses.
Live and Learn
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If you win the bid, you are open for business and can turn your attention to advertising your services. If you do not win the bid, obtain a copy of the winning bid and compare it to your own. The bid is public record and can be obtained through a public records request at the receiving department. Compare your bid to it so the next time the state advertises for a halfway house bid in your area, you will be better equipped to bid more competitively.
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