HUD Definition of Homelessness

Congress is working on important legislation that would re-write the McKinney-Vento Act, the law governing HUD’s homeless assistance grant programs. As part of this process, housing and homelessness advocates have engaged in a debate over how HUD should define homelessness.

Currently, the US Department of Education includes children living in precarious doubled up and hotel / motel situations in its definition of homelessness. However, this same set of families is not considered homeless by HUD, despite the high risk that many could have their children taken into the foster care system when they are forced to leave these temporary housing situations.

NCHCW and other advocates are working to amend HUD’s definition of homelessness so that more families in need become eligible for HUD assistance before they lose their children to foster care or put them through a series of traumatic moves. However, we are facing determined opposition.

To get involved in this effort, please contact Jeremy Rosen at the National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness (www.npach.org). He can be reached at (202) 714-5378 or at jrosen@npach.org.