Application & Guidelines

 Here are the steps to apply to the program:

1.      Phone interviews

These are scheduled for three days in a row at specific times for 15 minutes. To proceed to step 2, you need to call on time, answer the questions and be considerate of not going over the 15 minute time frame. If you are late or miss calling for that day, it’s ok, we just start the process over with step one again the next day.

2.   Fill out and return the online application and substance use form. Please note there is a one time $500 non-refundable application fee payable prior to move-in.

3.   Tour of facility, drug test and background check

4.   Approval by the House of Hope board members

5.  Set a move in date

This whole process takes about a month. It can move faster, but it depends on your pace.

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House of Hope for Women Guidelines

*Guidelines are for the safety of the houseguest and to help them progress through the program to reach their desired goals.

Ministry Benefits and Privileges: 

  • No housing rent or fees
  • No fee for laundry equipment use
  • No fee for utilities
  • Provides initial basic clothing as needed

Home Security: 

  • Personal entrance code for the home is given which is not allowed to be shared with anyone
  • Exterior door must be locked at all times
  • Visitor policy is to be followed at all times
  • Emergency evacuation training is required
  • In case of an emergency, call 911. (Unauthorized people on the property, breaking and entering, theft, fire, accidents, etc.)
  • Must be given permission to share the House of Hope address before sharing it with anyone 

Damage of House of Hope Property: 

  • All costs for repair for damage to House of Hope property (building and items in the house) will be the responsibility of the houseguest. 
  • All cost for repairs for normal wear and tear will be handled by House of Hope. 

Resident Personal Property: 

  • All personal items brought to House of Hope must be approved.
  • Any loss of personal property is not the responsibility of House of Hope. 
  • Unapproved personal property must be stored at the houseguest’s expense off House of Hope property. 
  • No pets are permitted.
  • Insurance of personal property is the responsibility of the houseguest. 
  • Legal counsel, prosecution, and cost concerning the theft of a houseguest’s personal property 
    will be the houseguest’s responsibility. 
  • In order to keep property free of bugs upon arrival, houseguest will be provided a change of clean clothing. All clothing will be heat treated in the dryer. Other items will be assessed and screened for acceptance.

Cell Phones and Social Media: 

  • Without exception, phone use for the first 30 days, is per the Technology Guidelines. After this phone use will be discussed and approved per houseguest by House directors. 
  • Houseguest will agree to Technology Guidelines which includes installing a safety filter on the phone/device.
  • Violation of Technology Guidelines results in loss of privileges. 

Medical: 

  • All medical costs for the houseguest and children is the responsibility of the houseguest. Guidance will be given as needed. 
  • All required school physicals are the responsibility of the houseguest.  
  • Cost of houseguest periodic drug testing will be the responsibility of House of Hope. 
  • All medical emergencies are the responsibility of the houseguest, including calling 911 if needed.
  • Houseguest will agree to share any self-harm behaviors such as cutting, burning, depriving self of food or purging food, etc. 
  • Houseguest will agree to share any thoughts of suicide

Visitor Policy:  

  • At the appropriate phrase in the program, houseguests are allowed visitors and leaving House of Hope for extended periods of time. This must be pre-approved by house directors. 
  • All visitors must be interviewed by a board member prior to being on the visitor list. 
  • All visitors must be on the visitor list two weeks prior to the visit.
  • Visitors are only allowed during times when House directors are home unless approved by House directors.
  • All visitors must sign the “sign in/out” sheet. 
  • Houseguest is responsible for the cost of all visitor background checks.  Visitor background checks will occur at house director’s discretion.  
  • House of Hope will provide a common area for visitation. 
  • House directors must meet and approve all friends and family that houseguest will be interacting with outside of House of Hope property prior to the event. 

Curfew: 

  • Houseguest curfew during weekdays is 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. on weekends unless agreed upon by House directors. 
  • Abuse of curfew will result in tighter restrictions until the issue is resolved.  
  • Children’s bedtimes and amount of sleep must be according to American Pediatric Association recommendations. 
  • Quiet hours will be observed from 11 pm to 7 am. This includes no loud music, media, voices or kitchen noises (this does not include children’s crying).
  • When leaving the property, houseguest must completely fill out “sign in/out” board.

Vacations and Emergency Travel: 

  • All houseguest vacations or weekends away must be approved by House directors one week prior to the vacation.
  • Houseguest must fill out a vacation form with travel information. 
  • Emergencies (family or friend deaths or accidents) that require unexpected travel require a 24 hour notice to House directors and a completed vacation form.

Community Service:  

  • Four hours of personal time per month will be volunteered in the community

Hygiene: 

  • House directors and houseguest will work together to create a personal self care plan. Houseguest will follow the plan as agreed upon. 
  • Perform good hygiene practices daily including getting dressed, brushing teeth, and showering (at least every other day) etc. 

Child Care: 

  • Child care is the responsibility of the mother. Arrangements (background checks and
    costs) is the responsibility of the mother.  Suggestions for child care will be provided as needed. 
  • Discipline and respectful behavior of children is expected. Support and input from House directors will be offered as needed. 
  • Children are expected to sleep in their own room and bed. 
  • Children that are pre-school and school aged must be enrolled in public school.

House Duties: 

  • Cleaning duties will be done by houseguest according to the established guidelines.  
  • Initial instructions, expectations, weekly checks and additional training will be given as needed. 
  • Houseguest will be responsible for their own messes, garbage, and laundry.  
  • All beds must be made each day.
  • All eating must be done in the kitchen. 

Education and Employment:  

  • Goals for education, job, etc will be made together. 
  • If GED is needed, tutoring will be provided. Cost for GED will be covered by House of Hope. 
  • Diligent effort should be made to start a job within one month of arriving at House of Hope. 
  • All mentoring, counseling, bible studies, church services and life skills training will be a priority over work. Houseguest is not permitted to work more than 20 hours a week. 

Financial: 

  • A realistic budget will be made and followed (with guidance)
  • All purchases outside of budget must be requested and approved (because House of Hope charges no fees to the houseguest for food, shelter, and clothing).
  • Money and all gifted items must be reported when received
  • SNAP cards will given to and managed by House directors
  • The cost to replace a lost House of Hope binder is $10.

Transportation: 

  • Valid Illinois driver’s license is required. Exceptions need to be approved.
  • Must maintain a good driving record
  • Follow all traffic laws (not using a phone while driving, not speeding, children strapped in, etc). If traffic laws are violated, driving privileges will be lost.
  • Must have proof of current car insurance 
  • Limited transportation provided based on availability (for a small fee)

Personal Conduct: 

  • Houseguest will participate in random drug tests 
  • No alcohol, swearing, pornography or witchcraft is allowed 
  • No smoking or vaping inside the buildings 
  • No music with foul language or degrading lyrics. Music must be kept at a reasonable volume.
  • No violent or scary movies
  • Houseguest’s clothing needs to be clean and modest at all times 
  • Tops should reach at least to the waist
  • Pants should be comfortably loose fitting
  • Shorts should pass the fingertip test
  • Undergarments not visible under clothing
  • Necklines should cover cleavage
  • Sheer fabric should have a lining or additional clothing to cover your body
  • Skirts should be knee length or longer
  • Dress appropriately for the occasion
  • Please wear a skirt or dress when going to church 

Solid Foundation Training: 

  • Attend weekly church services
  • Mentoring with House directors/volunteers
  • Conflict Resolution/Effective Communication
  • Anger Management 
  • Parenting classes 
  • Counseling 
  • Meal Planning 
  • Financial counseling
  • Boundaries
  • Safe People
  • Support Group
  • All homework must be done prior to class/meeting

Cause for Loss of Residency:  

•Note: House directors decide the length of time the evicted houseguest has to move out based on the severity of the violation.

  • Physical, verbal or emotional aggression or abuse towards anyone
  • Repeated guideline violations 
  • Allowing unapproved guest access to House of Hope property inside and out
  • Alcohol and non-prescription drug use found (through random drug testing, paraphernalia or personal observation by House directors) 
  • Getting arrested or being charged with criminal activity
  • Refusing drug test
  • Sharing House of Hope address with non-approved people
  • Misconduct of medications
  • Removing or tampering with phone filter
  • Not signing in and out properly
  • Not disclosing legal decisions or actions
  • Failure to progress towards goals

Residency: 

  • Is based on making progress toward goals for transition – help will be provided
  • Granted or declined based on first 30 day evaluation. Maximum stay is one year.
  • Exceptions above one year will be considered if there is a benefit to the houseguests goals.
  • Progress checks are every 30 days with feedback on transition, expectations and goals
  • Dependent on good personal and family health habits, house cleanliness, honesty, integrity, and positive respectful interaction with others
  • All guidelines are subject to change. Changes will be communicated first. 

[Updated 1/6/25]

House of Hope for Women Technology Guidelines

House directors reserve the right to remove all phone privileges for inappropriate use or violation of guidelines. 

  • Two devices are permitted per house guest
  • Safety filter will be installed on all devices on day of arrival 
  • Two hour limit on internet use per day
  • Phone curfew from 9 pm to 6 am 
  • Apps permitted on device:
    • Google drive
    • Email
    • Navigation/GPS
    • Google sheets/docs 
    • Messaging App
    • Bible App
    • Music App
    • Mediation App
    • Calculator
    • Prayer App
    • Photo/Gallery App
    • Camera
  • Additional apps may be permitted by request
  • No social media. No exceptions.
  • Interactions with contacts in phone are permitted based upon the following criteria:
    • Negative influence
    • Interfere with the HOH progress & goals
    • Inappropriate interactions
  • Laptop  may be used by request for daytime use only.
  • Guidelines will be adjusted based on compliance with technology guidelines and HOH program. 
  • Removal or tampering with phone filter is grounds for dismissal from House of Hope program.

Updated 1.6.25