We, the undersigned residents of the City of Lorain, Ohio, respectfully petition our city officials to adopt new regulations governing all shelters operating within the city. Our goal is to ensure that shelters provide safe, structured, and supportive environments for both clients and the surrounding community.

Goals
To establish and enforce regulations requiring shelters to adhere to clear standards that protect residents, clients, and neighborhoods/businesses. 

Proposed Ordinance Rules

1. Temporary Residency Only
 Shelters are designed to provide temporary relief and support, not serve as long-term or permanent residences. A maximum stay limit (such as 90 days) must be enforced. This ensures turnover, encourages progress toward permanent housing, and prevents shelters from becoming unmanaged, indefinite housing arrangements.

2. On-Site Requirement
 Clients must remain on shelter premises unless engaged in approved work, school, medical appointments, or other authorized activities. Loitering in surrounding neighborhoods, streets, or near businesses will not be permitted. This helps protect nearby residents and businesses from disturbances while ensuring clients remain engaged in productive activities.

3. Employment/Education Enrollment
 To remain eligible for shelter services, clients must be actively enrolled in employment programs, job training, or educational opportunities. This requirement encourages personal development, self-sufficiency, and accountability while reducing long-term dependency on shelters.

4. Secure Facilities
 All shelter properties must have enclosed, gated premises with monitored access. This rule protects clients, staff, and the surrounding community by ensuring accountability, preventing unauthorized entry, and creating a safe environment inside and outside the facility.

5. Sobriety Support
 Any client struggling with substance abuse must be enrolled in sobriety, recovery, or treatment programs as needed. This ensures that shelters are not only providing a bed but also actively supporting recovery and reducing risks of violence, overdoses, or drug activity within or around the shelter.

6. Safety Buffer Zone
 No registered sex offender may reside in or near a shelter located within a designated distance of schools, daycares, playgrounds, or other child-centered facilities. This safeguard is essential to protecting children and families while maintaining trust between shelters and the surrounding neighborhoods.

7. Permanent Housing Support
 Shelters must actively work with clients to secure permanent housing solutions that are tailored to their needs—whether through affordable housing programs, rental assistance, or supportive services. The ultimate goal of any shelter should be to help individuals transition to stable, independent living.

8. Mandatory Reporting
 Shelters must report acts of violence, disorderly conduct, open container violations, public intoxication, drug-related activity, harassment, lewd conduct, overdoses, or similar incidents to local authorities within 24–48 hours. Transparent reporting builds community trust and ensures law enforcement can respond quickly to protect both clients and neighbors.

First unreported offense: $250 fine

Second unreported offense: $500 fine

Third unreported offense: immediate and permanent closure of the shelter facility

9. Failure to Adhere
 Any shelter found in violation of these regulations three times—whether from reporting failures, lack of structure, or other violations—will face immediate and permanent closure. This standard ensures accountability, fairness, and community safety.

Resident Support

By signing this petition, you are standing with your neighbors and local businesses in asking the City of Lorain to take action. Your signature affirms your support for stronger oversight and clear regulations that will hold shelters accountable, ensure they operate with structure and responsibility, and protect the safety and well-being of the surrounding community.

We believe shelters should provide temporary assistance while guiding residents toward stability, not create ongoing challenges for the neighborhoods they are located in. Together, we are urging city leadership to adopt these regulations so that shelters can truly fulfill their intended purpose—offering help to those in need while maintaining respect and security for the community as a whole.