Butterfly House Requirements

Residents living at the Butterfly House are asked to abide by specific requirements as a condition of their housing. We recognize that the program may not be a good fit for everyone so please review the requirements carefully before submitting an application.

Program Guidelines

  1. Participant must agree to good faith and earnest participation in a mentoring program weekly that will last for the duration of the Participant's occupancy of the Dwelling.

  2. Participant will enter into a lease for its occupancy of the Dwelling with RJSF and will have sufficient income from work or passive income to self-sustainably live in the Dwelling and pay the required rent.

  3. Participant will be obligated to clean and maintain the interior and exterior (1 hour per week minimum) of the Dwelling. In this regard, the Participant must:

    1. Keep the inside and outside of the Dwelling clean, orderly and well-kept to meet the standards of any applicable neighborhood association and to demonstrate meaningful care, diligence and reliability;

    2. Dispose of garbage/refuse in proper containers at regular weekly intervals;

    3. Remove snow/ice from driveway and sidewalk areas; and

    4. Comply with all laws and regulations, including all local, county, state and federal housing, health and safety rules and regulations.

  4.  Participant must be willing to work towards self-sustainability, including maintaining a checking and/or a savings account.

  5. The maximum number of people living in the Dwelling shall be limited to the space available for Participants. No overnight guests are permitted at the Dwelling without prior approval of Program Administrator.

  6. Participants are not permitted to smoke/vape, use illegal drugs or consume alcoholic beverages either on or off the premises.  Participant must not sell, purchase or ingest any illicit drugs, or engage in any other illegal/criminal activity either on or off the premises. If a Participant observes any violation of these requirements, that individual will notify the Program Administrator immediately and provide whatever confirming evidence they may have of any such impermissible activity. Upon receipt of any such information, the Program Administrator will investigate and address the issue.

  7. Each Participant will complete a family budget sheet.  Participant must disclose all financial and personal information, employment references, provide federal and state income tax returns, W-2 statements and proof of employment or other income.

  8. No animals, dogs, cats or reptiles are allowed. Visiting pets and house-sitting pets are not permitted.

  9. Participants will treat fellow Participants, RJSF staff, volunteers, the Program Administrator, subcontractors and any other persons involved with the Program or the Dwelling with respect at all times. Failure to be respectful may result in the Participant being terminated from the Program.

  10. Neither RJSF nor the Program Administrator assumes any responsibility or liability for loss of or damage to any personal property of the Participant.

  11. Maintenance requests should be made directly to the Program Manager during regular working hours. After hours, for serious or emergency maintenance or safety matters, such as fire, flooding, electrical shortage, sewer backup, no heat in the winter, fire extinguisher used): please call the staff or 911.

  12. Extended Absence: An absence of the Participant from the unit for longer than 60 continuous days (for non-medical reasons) or for longer than 180 continuous days (for medical reasons) may result in Participant forfeiting and surrendering their participation and access to the Program. At that time, Participant will be asked to vacate the Dwelling and the lease termination process will begin.

  13. Participant must have reliable transportation.

  14. No weapons of ANY kind shall be permitted inside the house. This includes but is not limited to pocket-knives, guns, brass knuckles, etc.

  15. Any physical altercations or fights will not be tolerated. Any such incidents will be addressed immediately by the Program Administrator and may result in at least one Participant, if not both, being removed from the Program.

  16. No Participant resident shall enter or be inside another Participant’s room, at any time for any reason, without the occupant of that room being present.

  17. Food and drinks should remain in the kitchen, and only water is permitted throughout the Dwelling.

  18. Participant must have 30-40 productive work hours per week in school or at a job. 

 Termination of Program Participation

A Participant will be removed from the Program and subject to removal from the Dwelling, including, if required, by eviction, for or on account of any of the following:

  1. Failure to comply with any of the Program Guidelines;

  2. Repeated disturbance to the neighborhood/neighbors and/or other Program Participants;

  3. Failure to make timely payments 3 times or more;

  4. For any reason that the Program Administrator, in its sole discretion, determines that the Participant is no longer a fit or will not otherwise continue to benefit from the Program; or

  5. Deliberate or gross negligent damage of the Dwelling or property.

Upon any termination of the Program for a Participant, that individual will promptly vacate the Dwelling, removing all of their personal belongings and no money will be refunded.  All amounts received from any such former Participant will be applied to costs of maintaining and operating the Dwelling and the Program.