Housing or service providers may provide documentation of an individual or head of household's current or prior episodes of homelessness.
- HUD considers housing or service providers to include members of law enforcement, a healthcare professional, an educator, or another person that has encountered the individual or head of household while in their official capacity and not simply as a member of the community.
- The housing or service providers do not need to have physically observed where the applicant was living. If the applicant reported he/she was staying in a place not meant for human habitation or shelter, the provider can use his/her professional judgement to determine if that is true.
- The housing or service provider can only provide documentation for those months when he/she personally encountered the applicant.
Housing Provider Observation Example
Insufficient:
"Steve Smith and his two kids have stayed at our shelter."
"Steve Smith receives services at our shelter that include meals and laundry."
Sufficient:
"Steve Smith and his two children, ages 4 and 9, are currently sleeping in our emergency shelter. They have been here since March 15th."
"Steve Smith and his two kids have stayed at our shelter."
"Steve Smith receives services at our shelter that include meals and laundry."
Sufficient:
"Steve Smith and his two children, ages 4 and 9, are currently sleeping in our emergency shelter. They have been here since March 15th."
Service Provider Observation Example
Insufficient:
"I am Brian Barnes primary care physician, and I can confirm that he is homeless."
Sufficient:
"I am Brian Barnes primary care physician. Brian confirmed for me that he is currently sleeping under the highway underpass at I-25 and Paseo del Norte during his visit to my office on February 2nd. He reported concerns about frost bite and his personal hygiene is poor. It is my professional opinion that Brian is currently homeless."
"I am Brian Barnes primary care physician, and I can confirm that he is homeless."
Sufficient:
"I am Brian Barnes primary care physician. Brian confirmed for me that he is currently sleeping under the highway underpass at I-25 and Paseo del Norte during his visit to my office on February 2nd. He reported concerns about frost bite and his personal hygiene is poor. It is my professional opinion that Brian is currently homeless."
Oral Statement Example
Insufficient:
"I called staff at the shelter Richard Rogers reports staying at and confirmed that Richard is staying there."
Sufficient:
"I contacted Eric Easter, who is a case manager at the East Side Shelter today, March 15th, and confirmed that Richard Rogers is currently sleeping at their shelter. Eric Reports that Richard has been staying there since February 22nd."
"I called staff at the shelter Richard Rogers reports staying at and confirmed that Richard is staying there."
Sufficient:
"I contacted Eric Easter, who is a case manager at the East Side Shelter today, March 15th, and confirmed that Richard Rogers is currently sleeping at their shelter. Eric Reports that Richard has been staying there since February 22nd."