Definition of Terms

Homelessness

The condition of lacking a stable, safe, and adequate nighttime residence. This can include sleeping in shelters, on the streets, in cars, or in temporary accommodations like hotels or with friends.

Houseless

A term often used interchangeably with “homeless,” though some people use “houseless” to specifically describe individuals who lack a physical structure (a house) to live in, while recognizing that they may still have a sense of home through community or personal relationships. The term emphasizes that while a person may not have a house, they still deserve recognition of their humanity and dignity.

The use of “houseless” instead of “homeless” is sometimes preferred by advocates to avoid the stigma associated with the term “homeless,” which may imply a lack of belonging or community, beyond just the absence of shelter.

Chronic Homelessness

Refers to individuals or families who experience long-term homelessness (typically defined as a year or more) or have experienced repeated episodes of homelessness over several years

Unsheltered Homelessness

Individuals living in places not meant for human habitation, such as streets, parks, vehicles, abandoned buildings, or other open spaces.

Sheltered Homelessness

People who stay in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or temporary housing programs designed to provide a safe place to sleep for people without permanent housing.

Housing First

A model of addressing homelessness that prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness as quickly as possible, without preconditions like sobriety or employment. Support services are offered to help maintain housing stability.

Emergency Shelter

Short-term housing facilities that provide immediate shelter to individuals or families experiencing homelessness. These are often temporary and not meant for long-term living.

Congregant Shelter

A type of housing arrangement where individuals or families experiencing homelessness live in a shared space with others. In this setting, residents typically sleep in common areas or large dormitory-style rooms with multiple beds. Shared facilities, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and living spaces, are common. Congregant shelters are often used as emergency or temporary housing and are designed to accommodate a large number of people.

These shelters can provide immediate safety and support but may have limited privacy and personal space due to the communal living environment.

Transitional Housing

Temporary housing designed to provide a supportive environment for people transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. It often includes support services like counseling or job training.

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)

Long-term housing for people who are homeless and have a disabling condition. It includes supportive services to help individuals maintain housing stability and address health, substance use, or other issues.

Managed Camp

A designated outdoor encampment for people experiencing homelessness that is overseen by an organization, agency, or community group. These camps provide basic services and support to residents, such as access to sanitation, security, waste management, and case management services. Managed camps offer a safer, more organized environment compared to unsanctioned encampments, while still addressing the immediate need for shelter when permanent housing is unavailable.

These camps are often set up as a temporary or intermediate solution while individuals or families work towards more permanent housing.

Continuum of Care (CoC)

A local or regional system designed to provide services and housing solutions to people experiencing homelessness. It often involves multiple organizations working together to coordinate resources and assistance, from emergency shelter to permanent housing.

Point-in-Time Count (PIT)

An annual count of homeless individuals and families, conducted on a single night in January, mandated by HUD, is used to gather data on the extent of homelessness in a given area.

Rapid Re-Housing

A housing intervention designed to help people experiencing homelessness quickly exit homelessness and return to permanent housing. It includes short-term rental assistance, case management, and housing search services.

Supportive Services

Services provided to people experiencing or exiting homelessness, such as mental health counseling, job training, substance use treatment, and other forms of assistance to help them achieve housing stability.

Affordable Housing

Housing that is considered affordable when individuals or families pay no more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities. Lack of affordable housing is often a major factor contributing to homelessness.

Low Barrier

Refers to homeless shelters, housing programs, or services that have minimal entry requirements or restrictions. Low-barrier programs aim to make assistance more accessible by removing obstacles such as sobriety, criminal background checks, employment, or participation in programs as conditions for receiving shelter or services. The focus is on meeting immediate needs first (like safety and shelter) without imposing stringent preconditions. Low Barrier shelters require compliance with rules of behavior within the shelter.

High Barrier

In contrast, high-barrier shelters or programs require individuals to meet certain conditions before accessing services. These might include sobriety, proof of employment, clean criminal records, or participation in specific programs (such as mental health or substance abuse treatment) as prerequisites. High-barrier programs may be less accessible to individuals with complex challenges like addiction, mental illness, or legal issues.