What does this acronym mean?
Since acronyms (and initialisms) are used very frequently in homeless and housing services, we've provided this list of common acronyms. Please keep in mind that some acronyms may have several definitions and that this list is not exhaustive.
Tip: To find a specific acronym, press CTRL + F and search for the acronym you need!
| Acronym | Definition |
|---|---|
| ABIC | Automated Bed Inventory Count |
| AHAR | Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress |
| AHTF | Affordable Housing Trust Fund |
| AMI | Area Median Income |
| APR | Annual Performance Report |
| ASC | Adult Shelter Connect (Hennepin CoC program) |
| BCP | Basic Center Program (RHY grant program) |
| BoS | Balance of State |
| CA | Coordinated Assessment |
| CAA | Community Action Agency |
| CAPER | Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report |
| CDBG | Community Development Block Grant |
| CE | Coordinated Entry |
| CES | Coordinated Entry System |
| CIS | Community Information System |
| CoC | Continuum of Care |
| Con Plan | Consolidated Plan |
| CPD | HUD Office of Community Planning and Development |
| CS | Contributing Sites |
| CSBG | Community Services Block Grant |
| DHS | Minnesota Department of Human Services |
| DS | Day Shelter |
| DV | Domestic Violence |
| EDA | Enter Data As |
| ES | Emergency Shelter |
| ESG | Emergency Solutions Grant |
| eSnaps | Electronic Streamlined Noncompetitive Award Process System |
| ESP | Emergency Services Program |
| FHPAP | Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program |
| FMR | Fair Market Rent |
| FYSB | Family and Youth Services Bureau |
| GPD | Grant and Per Diem |
| HCHV | Health Care for Homeless Veterans |
| HDX | Homelessness Data Exchange |
| HEARTH | Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act |
| HHS | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |
| HIC | Housing Inventory Count |
| HPH | High Priority Homeless |
| HIPAA | Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act |
| HMID | Housing Move-in Date |
| HMIS | Homeless Management Information System |
| HOPWA | Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS |
| HP | Homelessness Prevention |
| HQS | Housing Quality Standards |
| HS | Housing Support |
| HSWH | Homework Starts with Home |
| HTA | Healthy Transition to Adulthood |
| HTHP | Healthy Transition Homeless Prevention (now the HTA program) |
| HUD | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development |
| HYA | Homeless Youth Act |
| IDIS | Integrated Disbursement and Information System |
| LOCCS | Line of Credit Control System |
| LOT | Length of Time (in days) |
| LRMF | Landlord Risk Mitigation Fund |
| LSA | Longitudinal System Analysis |
| LTH | Long-Term Homelessness |
| LTHSSF | Long-Term Homeless Supportive Services Fund |
| MFIP | Minnesota Family Investment Program (Minnesota's TANF program) |
| MGH | Maternity Group Home (RHY grant program) |
| MN HSG | Minnesota Housing |
| NOFA | Notice of Funding Availability |
| OEO | Minnesota DHS - Office of Economic Opportunity |
| OMB | Office of Management and Budget |
| PATH | Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness |
| PBRA | Project-based Rental Assistance |
| PDDE | Project Descriptor Data Elements |
| PDE | Project Descriptor Elements |
| PFS | Pay for Success |
| PH | Permanent Housing |
| PH HO | Permanent Housing-Housing Only |
| PH S | Permanent Housing with Services (no disability required for entry) |
| PHA | Public Housing Authority/Agency |
| PHP | Permanent Housing Program |
| PIT | Point-In-Time |
| PL | Prioritization List |
| PRF | Provider Request Form |
| PRN | Pro Rata Need |
| PSH | Permanent Supportive Housing |
| PSH D | Permanent Supportive Housing with Services (disability required for entry) |
| QDQ | Quarterly Data Quality |
| QPR | Quarterly Performance Report |
| RAP | Rental Assistance Program |
| RHSAP | Rural Housing Stability Assistance Program |
| RHSP | Rural Housing Stability Program |
| RHY | Runaway and Homeless Youth |
| ROI | Release of Information |
| RRH | Rapid Rehousing |
| S+C | Shelter Plus Care |
| SBRA or SRA | Sponsor-based Rental Assistance |
| SH | Safe Haven |
| SHP | Supportive Housing Program |
| SNAP | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program |
| SNAPS | Special Needs Assistance Program Services |
| SO | Street Outreach |
| SOAR | SSI/SSDI Outreach Access and Recovery |
| SOP | Street Outreach Program (RHY grant program) |
| SPDAT | Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool |
| SPMs | System Performance Measures |
| SRO | Single Room Occupancy |
| SSA | State System Administrator (e.g. Institute for Community Alliances) |
| SSDI | Social Security Disability Insurance |
| SSI | Supplemental Security Income |
| SSO | Supportive Services Only |
| SSOM | Self-Sufficiency Outcomes Matrix |
| SSVF | Supportive Services for Veteran Families |
| TAA | Technical Assistance Assessment |
| TANF | Temporary Assistance for Needy Families |
| TBRA or TRA | Tenant-based Rental Assistance |
| TH | Transitional Housing |
| TLP | Transitional Living Program (RHY grant program) |
| UDE | Universal Data Element |
| USICH | U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness |
| VA | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs |
| VAMC | Veterans Affairs Medical Center |
| WIC | Women, Infants and Children |
| YHDP | Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program |