Chronic Homelessness

Defining Chronic Homelessness

To be chronically homeless, a person must:

• Have a disabling condition and
  • Live in a place not meant for human habitation, a shelter, or safe haven, and
  • Have been homeless for at least 12 months OR on at least 4 separate occasions in the last 3 years
    • The combined episodes must equal at least 12 months with each break in homelessness lasting at least 7 days

OR

• Have a disabling condition and
  • Have been residing in an institutional care facility for less than 90 days and met all of the criteria of this definition before entering that facility
    • Jail, substance use treatment center, mental health treatment facility, hospital, other similar facility

OR

• Have a disabling condition and
  • Be an adult head of household (or, if there is no adult in the family, a minor head of household) who meets all of the criteria of this definition
    • Head of household status applies to entire household

A Break in Homelessness

A break in homelessness is…

●     7 or more nights in temporary or permanent housing

●     90 days or more in an institutional situation

★    If a person was experiencing homelessness, then was in an institutional situation (such as hospital or incarceration) for less than 90 days, and then returned to homelessness, then they did not have a break in homelessness.

★    If a person was experiencing homelessness, then stayed in temporary or permanent housing for 7 nights or more, and then returned to homelessness this is a break in homelessness.

Calculating Chronic Homelessness

• Chronic homeless status is calculated from the length of time homeless and disability status
  • This calculation is made based on program enrollment information and updated assessments
• Be sure to…
  • Accurately complete Prior Living Situation Section^[1]

AND

• Accurately complete Disabling Conditions and Barriers Section

Examples of Chronically Homeless vs. Not Chronically Homeless

1. Shawn has a physical disability, for which he receives SSDI, and has been homeless and living on the streets for the last 14 months. When Shawn is not on the streets or in a shelter, he is often in and out of hospitals due to his ongoing medical issues. During his most recent hospital visit, he was sent to a skilled nursing facility for 3 weeks. Upon discharge, he returned to a shelter program.
   1. Shawn is chronically homeless. He is physically disabled and has not had a break in homelessness.
2. Anne has been in prison for the last 3 years and was recently released. Prior to her sentence, she was in and out of homelessness. Since release, she has returned to homelessness.
   1. Anne is not chronically homeless. She spent more than 90 days in an institutional facility.
3. Gus is a 30 year-old male. He works part time and has been in and out of homelessness over the last 12 months. He recently moved into transitional housing and has been there for 2 weeks.
   1. Gus is not chronically homeless. He does not have a total of 12 months homeless and is currently experiencing a break in homelessness.
4. Over the last 3 years, Alice has experienced multiple episodes of homelessness for varying lengths of time. During her first episode of homelessness, Alice moved into transitional housing after 3 months. Unfortunately, after 4 months, she returned to homelessness. After 8 months of homelessness, Alice was able to secure a room for rent. Alice was unable to maintain and returned to homelessness for the 3rd time. After spending a few months staying in shelters, Alice’s sister offered her couch for 3 weeks. Alice spent 3 weeks on her sister’s couch and then returned to the shelter.
   1. Alice is chronically homeless. She has had 4 episodes of homelessness in 3 years. These episodes have totaled more than 12 months and have each had breaks of at least 7 days.