The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) establishes a specific standard for classifying individuals and families as homeless. This standard is crucial for determining eligibility for various federal housing and assistance programs. It encompasses individuals or families lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes those living in places not meant for human habitation, such as streets or parks; in emergency shelters; in transitional housing programs; or are exiting an institution where they resided for 90 days or less and previously met the definition of homelessness. Furthermore, it addresses individuals and families fleeing domestic violence situations and lacking subsequent safe housing options. For example, a person living on the street because they cannot afford rent, or a family residing in a temporary emergency shelter after losing their home to a fire, would both be considered homeless under these criteria.
The significance of this standardized framework lies in its ability to provide a consistent metric for quantifying the scope of housing insecurity nationwide. This allows for targeted allocation of resources and the development of effective interventions. Accurate data collection, guided by the standard, informs policy decisions aimed at reducing homelessness and improving access to affordable housing. The framework also allows for historical tracking of trends and evaluation of the impact of different programs. Understanding how federal resources can be deployed to address the challenge, helps focus the efforts of social workers, city planners and private sector contributors.
