A chronically homeless individual can be:
- An individual (including a minor)
OR - An adult head of household
OR - A minor head of household (If there is no adult in the family)
CRITERIA 1- First the applicant must meet one of the below:
They must currently be living in an emergency shelter*, a safe haven** or a place not meant for human habitation (i.e. a park or a car)
OR
Currently reside in an institution but has been there less than 90 days and was living in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately prior to entering the institution.
OR
Currently reside in an institution but has been there less than 90 days and was living in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately prior to entering the institution.
* Important notes on Emergency Shelters:
- A motel/hotel that is paid for by a charitable organization or a government entity is considered an "emergency shelter"
- A motel/hotel that someone pays for by themselves is not considered an emergency shelter
- Transitional Housing is not emergency shelter. Someone currently living in TH is not considered chronically homeless
Criteria 2- The applicant must ALSO meet one of the below:
They must have been continuously homeless for 12 months or more.
At least 4 episodes of homelessness in the last 3 years, with the cumulative total of the 4 episodes being at least 12 months and each episode separated by a break of at least 7 consecutive nights.
- "Homeless" means living in an emergency shelter or in a place not meant for human habitation (i.e. a park or a car).
- If the individual is in an institution, this does not count as a "break" in the 12 months if he/she has been there less than 90 days and was living in a shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately prior to entering the institution.
At least 4 episodes of homelessness in the last 3 years, with the cumulative total of the 4 episodes being at least 12 months and each episode separated by a break of at least 7 consecutive nights.
- "Homeless" means living in an emergency shelter or in a place not meant for human habitation (i.e. in a park or a car).
- A "break" means that the person was not living in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation, but instead had some form of housing (i.e. a motel he/she paid for, staying with a family member or his/her own apartment)
Criteria 3- The head of household must have a documented, qualifying disability.
A qualifying disability is:
Where there is no adult member of the family, a minor can be identified as the head of household and that is the individual who must meet the criteria. When there are multiple adults in the presenting family, or multiple minors in a family with no adult, HUD does not specify which adult or minor must be the head of household and relies upon the family to self-determine which adult is the head of household.
- A physical, mental, or emotional impairment, including an impairment caused by alcohol or drug abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, or brain injury that: Is expected to be long-continuing or of indefinite duration; and substantially impedes the individual's ability to live independently; and could be improved by the provision of more suitable housing conditions;
OR - A developmental disability, as defined in section 102 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15002);
OR - The disease of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or any condition arising from the etiologic agency for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV).
Where there is no adult member of the family, a minor can be identified as the head of household and that is the individual who must meet the criteria. When there are multiple adults in the presenting family, or multiple minors in a family with no adult, HUD does not specify which adult or minor must be the head of household and relies upon the family to self-determine which adult is the head of household.