The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) establishes specific criteria for determining whether an individual or family is considered without housing. This classification encompasses individuals living in a place not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelters, or in transitional housing programs. It also includes those exiting institutions where they resided for 90 days or less and who resided in a shelter or a place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering the institution. For example, a person sleeping on the street, a family residing in a domestic violence shelter, or an individual discharged from a hospital after a brief stay who was previously living in a shelter would all likely meet these criteria.
Adherence to this established set of standards is crucial for several reasons. It enables accurate data collection on the prevalence of this condition across the nation. This, in turn, facilitates the allocation of resources to communities most in need and informs the development of effective policies and programs to address this societal challenge. Furthermore, it ensures that assistance is targeted appropriately to those who genuinely lack stable and adequate housing. The implementation of a consistent framework provides a baseline for measuring progress in reducing the number of people experiencing such circumstances.
