Enclosure_3_-_HUD_Homeless_Definitions.pdf

The document is a Homeless Definition chart that outlines four distinct categories of homelessness, providing comprehensive criteria for identifying and classifying individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity. The chart details specific conditions and documentation requirements for each category, ranging from "Literally Homeless" (Category 1) to "Fleeing/Attempting to Flee Domestic Violence" (Category 4), with nuanced definitions that cover various living situations and circumstances.

The definition framework includes detailed documentation requirements for each category, such as written observation by outreach workers, housing service provider referrals, certification by individuals or heads of households, court orders, eviction notices, and self-certification. Each category has specific subcriteria addressing factors like primary nighttime residence, imminent housing loss, institutional discharge, lack of permanent housing resources, persistent housing instability, and domestic violence situations. The document provides a structured approach for service providers and agencies to systematically assess and classify housing insecurity, ensuring a comprehensive and standardized understanding of homelessness across different contexts.