Definition of a Homeless Individual

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD] defines (January 2016) a chronically homeless individual as meeting the following conditions:

  1. Live in a place not meant for human habitation, a safe haven or in an emergency shelter (Note:  People living in Transitional Housing are not defined as chronically homeless by HUD.)and
  2. Have been homeless and residing in a place not meant for human habitation, a safe haven or in an emergency shelter continuously for at least 12 months or on at least 4 separate occasions in the last 3 years, as long as the combined occasions equal at least 12 months and each break in homelessness separating the occasions included at least 7 consecutive nights of not living as described in part 1; and
  3. Be disabled. A Disabling Condition is defined by HUD as a condition that: (i) Is expected to be long-continuing or of indefinite duration; (ii) Substantially impedes the individual’s ability to live independently; (iii) Could be improved by the provision of more suitable housing conditions; and (iv) Is a physical, mental, or emotional impairment, including an impairment caused by alcohol or drug abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, or brain injury; (2) A developmental disability, as defined in this section; or (3) The disease of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or any conditions arising from the etiologic agent for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, including infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).