In collaboration with the North American Family Institute, Westhab began to implement its "normative community" model at our homeless shelters in 2000. Unlike a typical residential institutional model, where power is centered at the top, and staff rules and sanctions control residents' behavior, the normative model implements behavioral standards through a sense of membership in a community that shares a common vision; internalization of pro-social values; and power sharing among residents and between residents and staff.

The normative community model is in place at the Coachman Family Center, a 100-unit family homeless shelter in White Plains. The model translates in practical terms into monthly town hall meetings, attended consistently by 30 or more residents and staff. The meetings highlight residents' accomplishments-e.g. recognition of parents who are maintaining clean and healthy living environments for their families; children with perfect school attendance records and good report cards. Town hall meetings also provide a forum for information sharing from staff and between residents, on available subsidized housing, employment opportunities, and events and activities. Coachman Family Center residents also meet weekly by floor, to discuss pertinent issues and concerns. One or two staff attend these meetings, where they problem-solve with residents about issues such as shared-kitchen maintenance and children's supervision. Staff presence at these meetings enables residents to air their concerns directly to staff, as well as share the power and responsibility with staff for resolving them.

Westhab staff has observed a greatly improved sense of peer-support among our shelter residents and between residents and staff since implementing the normative community model. Residents have provided positive feedback, saying they enjoy feeling like active members of a community, and being part of the decision-making process.