Tool: BFZ Inactive Policy Guide

The BFZ Inactive Policy Guide  aims to guide communities in creating comprehensive inactive policies and procedures that align with the BFZ quality data standards for the single adult population. Communities can use this guide as a starting point for developing their own inactive policies and are encouraged to adapt this guide to their local context.  

BFZ defines someone as “inactive” if they no longer meet the U.S. Department of Housing and Development’s definition of literal homelessness (Category 1 & 4) in the community’s geographical area. Within the guide the Determining Who Is “Inactive” section also provides  more detailed scenarios where individuals may not meet HUD’s definition of literal homelessness. 

The Inactive Policy Guide includes the following components:

• Things to consider when creating inactive policies
• Suggested sections of inactive policies and procedures

Companion Workshopped Community Examples

The three examples of inactive policies listed below were developed by BFZ communities across the nation. Each linked policy is not highlighted because it perfectly aligns with the Inactive Policy  Guide. It was selected because it is a real example of how communities approached the task of developing an inactive policy. 

These examples are available as inspiration or sample text in conjunction with the guidance provided in the guide. Each example includes 1) a brief summary of the context of the community who created the policy, 2) suggestions for continuous improvement for the policy, 3) the adapted policy itself, and 4) an annotation added by BFZ coaching staff that describes how the text aligns with the suggested information to include in within the guide. 

• Workshopped Inactive Policy  Example 1 (modified from Northwest Louisiana) (Google Doc version, Word version)
• Workshopped Inactive Policy Example 2 (modified from Detroit) (Google Doc version, Word version)
• Workshopped Inactive Policy Example 3 (modified from Fremont County, Colorado) (Google Doc version, Word version)