HUD Homelessness and Chronic Homelessness - Definitions and documentation

HUD's Four Categories of Homelessness

HUD defines four categories under which individuals and families may qualify as homeless:

Literally homeless;
Imminent risk of homelessness;
Homeless under other Federal statues; and
Fleeing/attempting to flee domestic violence.

While people in all four categories are considered to be experiencing homelessness, due to a lack of sufficient resources to serve everyone, eligibility for many projects is determined by which category of homelessness a household is experiencing.

Click HERE for the official HUD definitions of these four categories

(HUD exchange)

Chronic Homelessness Definition

Within the Category 1 literal homelessness, HUD further defines a subgroup of those who are experiencing Chronic Homelessness. Chronic Homelessness is an eligibility requirement for some projects, including most PSH. According to HUD, in order to be considered chronically homeless, one must meet the following criteria:

A "homeless individual with a disability" as defined in the McKinney-Vento Assistance Act, who: Lives in a place not meant for human habitation, a safe haven, or in an emergency shelter, and
- Has been homeless (as described above) for at least 12 months or on at least 4 separate occasions in the last 3 years where the combined occasions must total at least 12 months. Occasions are separated by a break of at least 7 nights.
An individual who has been residing in an institutional care facility for fewer than 90 days and met all of the criteria in paragraph one of this definition before entering that facility; or
A family with an adult head of household (or, if there is no adult in the family, a minor head of household) who meets all of the criteria in paragraphs one or two of this definition, including a family whose composition has fluctuated while the head of household has been homeless.

Click HERE for the official HUD definition of Chronic Homelessness

(HUD exchange)

Recorded Training

This training focuses on the definition of chronic homelessness, how to calculate months homeless and homeless episodes, and resources to assist with this.

Password: Clarity

To receive credit for completing this training, be sure to submit a User Training Credit Form
The viewing verification code is provided at the end of the video.

Original Training Date: November 9, 2022
Length: 16 minutes

Related Resources

Chronic Homelessness Resource Page - HUD
Chronic Homelessness Documentation Checklist - HUD
Living Situation at Time of Assessment Guide