Definitions

Homeless service providers use a variety of terms when talking about services or our clients. This guide aims to help you understand the different terms used and what they mean. Download these definitions and other useful resources.

+ Adult

Persons 18 years old and older

+ Youth

Persons 24 years old and under

+ TAY (Transitional Age Youth)

Persons 18 - 24

+ Child

Persons under 18 years old

Demographics

+ Homelessness

Individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

+ Sheltered

Individual or family who are staying in emergency shelters, transitional housing or safe havens.

+ Unsheltered

Individual or family whose primary nighttime location is a public or private place not designated or ordinarily used for human habitation.

+ Chronically Homeless

Must meet all 3 criteria:

  1. is homeless and lives in a place not meant for human habitation, a safe haven or in a emergency shelter AND
  2. has been homeless for a least 1 year continuously or on at least 4 or more occasions over the past 3 years that add up to at least 12 months AND
  3. has a disability

+ Chronically Homeless Household

Head of House must be chronically homeless for all household members to be chronically homeless.

+ Disability

An individual with one or more of the following conditions:

  • a physical, mental or emotional impairment, including an impairment caused by alcohol or drug abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, or brain injury that:
    • is expected to be long-continuing or of indefinite duration.
    • substantially impairs their ability to live independently.
    • could be improved by more suitable housing conditions.
  • a developmental disability.
  • having HIV/AIDS or any condition arising from HIV/AIDS.

+ Veteran

Adults who have served active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States. For HMIS & Point In Time this does not include inactive military reserves or the National Guard unless the person was called up to active duty. Discharge status is not important.

+ Unaccompanied Youth

Persons age 24 and under who are not accompanied by a parent, guardian, household member 25 or older, and are not a parent presenting with or sleeping the same places as their child(ren). Unaccompanied youth are single youth, youth couples, and groups of youth presenting together as a household. No one in the household is over 24.

+ Parenting Youth

A person(s) 24 or under who identifies as the parent or legal guardian of one or more children who are present with or sleeping in the same place as that of youth parent. No one in the household is over 24.

+ Adults with a Serious Mental Illness (SMI)

Adults with a severe and persistent mental illness or emotional impairment that seriously limits a person's ability to live independently (is expected to be long-continuing or indefinite in duration).

+ Adults with Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Adults with a substance use problem (alcohol use, drug use, or both) that seriously limits a person’s ability to live independently (is expected to long-continuing or indefinite in duration).

+ Fleeing/Atttempting to Flee Domestic Violence (DV)

Adults who are currently experiencing homelessness because they are fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. (Does not include those who have ever experienced DV in their lifetime).

+ Family/Household

Any group of individuals that presents together for assistance and self-identifies as a family. This includes, but is not limited to, regardless of martial status, actual or perceived sexual orientation, or gender identity, group composition (adults with children, just adults, or number of individuals) and irrespective of age, relationship or whether or not a member of the household has a disability.

Housing

+ Emergency Shelter

A facility with the primary purpose of providing temporary shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. Short-term overnight sleeping accommodations.

+ Safe Havens

Temporary shelter and services to hard-to-serve individuals.

+ Transitional Housing (TH)

Mid-term accommodations, designed to provide housing and supportive services to clients to facilitate movement to independent living within 24 months.

+ Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)

Permanent housing with indefinite leasing or rental assistance, paired with supportive services. Client must have disability.

+ Rapid Re-Housing (RRH)

Short-term rental assistance and services without preconditions (such as employment, income, or sobriety). Designed to move persons experiencing homelessness quickly into permanent housing.

+ Housing First

Assistance approach that prioritizes providing permanent housing to homeless persons, as to provide a platform to pursue personal goals.