Homeless persons are generally defined as those living in homeless facilities or in places not meant for human habitation. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
categorizes the homeless into four distinct groups:
1 . Literally homeless – People who are living in a place not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelter, in transitional housing, or are exiting an institution where they temporarily resided. People exiting an institution are considered homeless under this category if they resided in the institution for 90 days or less and were in shelter or a place not meant for human habitation immediately prior to entering that institution.
2. At imminent risk of being homeless – People who will lose their primary nighttime residence within 1 4 days and lack resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing.
3. Homeless under other federal statute – Unaccompanied youth or families with children who are unstably housed and likely to continue in that state. This category applies to those who have not had a lease or ownership interest in a housing unit in the last 60 or more days, have had two or more moves in the last 60 days, and who are likely to continue to be unstably housed because of disability or multiple barriers to employment.
4. Fleeing domestic violence – People who are fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, have no other residence, and lack the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing.