Homelessness Definitions

In this article 

Homelessness Defined

Depending on how your project is funded, you may need to know the definitions of homelessness that Minnesota uses as well as the definitions that HUD uses. The main difference between how Minnesota and HUD define homelessness is that Minnesota includes doubled up (couch-hopping) individuals and families in its definition.

Minnesota’s Definition of Homelessness

Extent of Homelessness by Minnesota’s Definition: The State of Minnesota defines as homeless “any individual, unaccompanied youth or family that is without a permanent place to live that is fit for human habitation.” Doubling-up is considered homeless if that arrangement has persisted less than 1 year.

The State of Minnesota defines an individual, unaccompanied youth, or family as “Long-Term Homeless” if they are without a home for a year or more OR have had at least four (4) episodes of homelessness in the past three (3) years. Any period of institutionalization or incarceration (including transitional housing, prison/jail, treatment, hospitals, foster care, or refugee camps) shall be excluded when determining the length of time the household has been homeless.

Additional Resources

• Minnesota Housing's Supportive Housing Information and Resources publication.

HUD’s Definition of Homelessness

HUD established four categories of Homelessness.

1

Literally Homeless: An individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, meaning:

1. Has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not meant for human habitation;
2. Is living in a publicly or privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements (including congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels and motels paid for by charitable organizations or by federal, state and local government programs); OR
3. Is exiting an institution where (s)he has resided for 90 days or less and who resided in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering that institution

2

Imminent Risk of Homelessness: An individual or family who will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence, provided that:

1. Residence will be lost within 14 days of the date of application for homeless assistance;
2. No subsequent residence has been identified; AND
3. The individual or family lacks the resources or support networks needed to obtain other permanent housing

3

Homeless Under other Federal Statutes: Unaccompanied youth under 25 years of age, or families with children and youth, who do not otherwise qualify as homeless as defined above, but who:

1. Are defined as homeless under the other listed federal statutes;
2. Have not had a lease, ownership interest, or occupancy agreement in permanent housing during the 60 days prior to the homeless assistance application;
3. Have experienced persistent instability as measured by two moves or more during the preceding 60 days; AND
4. Can be expected to continue in such status for an extended period of time due to special needs or barriers.

4

Fleeing/Attempting to Flee DV:  Any individual or family who:

1. Is fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking;
2. Has no other residence; AND
3. Lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing

Special note: Your CoC needs HUD approval to serve individuals and families meeting the Category 3 definition of homelessness. Please read HUD’s Notice on Limitation on Use of Funds to Serve Persons Defined as Homeless Under Other Federal Laws.

Additional Resources

• HUD’s final rule on the definition of homelessness.
• HUD’s criteria for defining homelessness.

Other Definitions

While defining and understanding the different definitions of homelessness is important, it is by no means the only set of definitions you’ll need to know! We’ve compiled a list of resources that contain many of the definitions you may need to know.

• Definitions of commonly used data elements in HMIS
• HUD HMIS Data Standards Resource Page
• HMIS Federal Partner Program Manuals
• Minnesota’s HMIS Data Standards Guide
• ICA MN’s Forms and Instructions page with user guides that contain State of MN program specific definitions

Eligibility Considerations

It’s important to reach out to your funder if you have questions about who is eligible for your project. ICA MN’s Forms and Instructions page lists the main contact for each funding source.

HUD ESG and  HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) program eligibility documentation is available on the HUD Exchange website.