Glossary

Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR)

The AHAR is the annual report that HUD submits to the U.S. Congress. The report provides nationwide estimates of homelessness, including information on the demographic characteristics of homeless persons, service use patterns, and the capacity to house homeless persons. The report is based primarily on HMIS data.

Chronically Homeless Individual

Refers to an individual living in a place not meant for human habitation, who has a disability who has been continuously homeless for one year or more or has experienced at least four episodes of homelessness in the last three years where the combined length of time homeless on those occasions is at least 12 months.

Chronically Homeless People in Families

Refers to people in families in which the head of household has a disability and has either been continuously homeless for one year or more or has experienced at least four episodes of homelessness in the last three years where the combined length of time homeless on those occasions is at least 12 months.

Continuums of Care (CoC)

These are local planning bodies responsible for coordinating the full range of homelessness services in a geographic area, which may cover a city, county, metropolitan area, or an entire state.

Emergency Shelter

A facility with the primary purpose of providing temporary shelter for homeless people.

Homeless

Generally defined as someone living in facilities or in places not meant for human habitation, or lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

Housing First

Housing First has become one of the most popular housing models for serving chronically homeless people. This approach is based on the understanding that homelessness is primarily a lack of housing and the fastest way to help a person out of homelessness is to provide that person with housing. The housing first approach focuses on providing housing as quickly as possible and subsequently providing services as needed and desired by the program participants. Housing First does not require people experiencing homelessness to address problems with drugs or alcohol, or behavioral problems. Individuals usually require paying partial rent, utilities, and services. Permanent Supportive Housing and Rapid Rehousing programs are based on the Housing First Model.

Homeless Individual

Refers to a person who is not part of a family with children during an episode of homelessness. Individuals may be homeless as single adults, unaccompanied youth, or in multiple-adult or multiple-child households.

Housing Inventory Count (HIC)

This is produced by each CoC and provides an annual inventory of beds that assist people in the CoC who are experiencing homelessness or leaving homelessness.

HUD

HUD is the federal government’s Housing and Urban Development.

Other Permanent Housing

Housing with or without services that is specifically for formerly homeless people but that does not require people to have a disability.

Parenting Youth

They are people under age 25 who are the parents or legal guardians of one or more children (under age 18) who are present with or sleeping in the same place as that youth parent, where there is no person over age 24 in the household.

Parenting Youth Household

A household with at least one parenting youth and the child or children for whom the parenting youth is the parent or legal guardian.

People in Families with Children

People who are homeless as part of a household that has at least one adult (age 18 and older) and one child (under age 18).

Point-in-Time (PIT) Count

Refers to the Homeless Census and Survey that is undertaken every two years in the last ten days of January. It is mandatory for all jurisdictions receiving funding from HUD to undertake the Point-in-Time Count. The data gathered from the count helps the County and local homeless service providers to better understand the needs of the community, evaluate the current system of services, and apply for federal and local funding.

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)

A housing model designed to provide housing assistance (project- and tenant-based) and supportive services on a long-term basis to formerly homeless people. HUD’s Continuum of Care program, authorized by the McKinney-Vento Act, funds PSH and requires that the client have a disability for eligibility.

Rapid Rehousing

A housing model designed to provide temporary housing assistance to people experiencing homelessness, moving them quickly out of homelessness and into permanent housing.

Safe Havens

These provide temporary shelter and services to hard-to-serve individuals.

Sheltered Homelessness

Refers to people who are staying in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, or safe havens.

Transitional Housing Programs

Provides people experiencing homelessness a place to stay combined with supportive services for up to 24 months.

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (under 18)

These are people in households with only children who are not part of a family with children or accompanied by their parent or guardian during their episode of homelessness, and who are under the age of 18.

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (18-24)

People in households without children who are not part of a family with children or accompanied by their parent or guardian during their episode of homelessness, and who are between the ages of 18 and 24.

Unsheltered Homelessness

Refers to people whose primary nighttime location is a public or private place not designated for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for people (for example, the streets, vehicles, or parks).

Veteran

Any person who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States. This includes Reserves and National Guard members who were called up to active duty.