Chronic Homeless

An unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more, or has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years.[1]

Emergency Shelter

Any facility, the primary purpose of which is to provide temporary or transitional shelter for the homeless in general or for specific homeless populations.[2]

Supportive Housing A long-term community-based housing and supportive services for homeless persons with disabilities.  The intent of these type of supportive housing is to enable this special needs population to live as independently as possible in a permanent setting.  The supportive services may be provided by the organization managing the housing or provided by other public or private service agencies.[3] SRO- Single Resident Occupancy One of the country’s oldest forms of affordable housing for single and elderly low-income people.  Typically, an SRO room will have a sink and a closet.  Bathroom, shower, kitchen, and other rooms are usually shared.  Residents have the option of paying day by day or on a more long-term basis.[4]

My Brother’s Keeper (Mission Waco) is an example of emergency shelter. Other emergency shelters in Waco include the Salvation Army and the Family Abuse Center for victims of domestic violence.

Homeless Coalition

 Network of people who are currently experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, activists and advocates, community-based and faith-based service providers, and others committed to ending homelessness.[5]

HMIS

A HUD technical assistance product created to assist communities in the collection of information about their homeless persons.[6] 

Continuum of Care Grant

HUD's Continuum of Care programs provide permanent and transitional housing to homeless persons. Continuum grants fund a wide variety of programs-from street outreach and assessment programs to transitional and permanent housing for homeless persons and families.  They help to provide important services including job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care. Nearly $1.2 billion in Continuum of Care grants are awarded competitively to local programs to meet the needs of their homeless clients.[7]

CDBG Funds

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) provides annual grants on a formula basis to states and cities.  HUD determines the amount of each grant by a formula including the extent of poverty, population, housing overcrowding, age of housing and population growth.[8]

Project Homeless Connect Standdown

 A community event where the homeless are given access to a variety of services such as medical screenings, job training opportunities, and permanent/temporary supportive housing opportunities.[9] 

 Co-occurring Disorders

When an individual is affected by both chemical dependency and psychiatric/emotional illness. The illnesses may affect each other, and each disorder predisposes to relapse in the other disease. At times the symptoms can overlap and even mask as each other, making treatment and diagnosis difficult. To fully recover, a person needs to treat/address both disorders.[10]

M-Powerment Program (Mission Waco)

 A program offering GED and tutoring, pre-employment services such as job readiness and job search skills, computer skills, and assistance in setting life goals, budgeting, and overcoming special family problems. Additional work experience programs are available for senior adults as well as adults who have had difficulty getting or keeping a job.[11]

Transitional Housing A type of supportive housing used to facilitate the movement of homeless individuals and families to permanent housing.  It is housing in which homeless persons live for up to 24 months and receive supportive services that enable them to live more independently.  The supportive services may be provided by the organization managing the housing or coordinated by them and provided by other public or private agencies.  It is a middle point between emergency shelter and permanent housing.[12] Affordable Housing Safe, sanitary, adequate, decent housing with a cost to the resident household of no more than 30% of their gross income, where housing includes both rent or mortgage and basic utilities.[13]

This is an example of an affordable housing option for purchase built by NeighborWorks Waco in 2007.

Emergency Housing

Facilities maintained by public or private non-profit entities that provide temporary, short-term, safe, sanitary shelter from the elements or nature for homeless individuals or families.[14] 

Section 8 (rental subsidy)

A federal rent subsidy program that provides monthly rental assistance to low-income individuals residing in privately owned units.  The rents must be within HUD limits, and the units must meet HUD housing quality standards.  Section 8 can be used in cooperatives to help lower-income households pay their monthly carrying charges.[15]

Rental Assistance

Payments provided either as project-based, sponsor-based, or as tenant-based assistance with paying rent.[16]

Overflow Shelter

A shelter where all the homeless go when all permanent shelters are full.[17]

Livable Wage

An income adequate to pay the cost of safe, decent, affordable housing and all other basic needs of living without receiving subsidy from private or public sources.[18]

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[1] Glossary of Terms.  Department of Housing and Urban Development; http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us

[2] Glossary of Terms.  Wake Housing and Homeless Coalition;  http://www.whhc.org/glossary.html

[3] Glossary of Terms.  Wake Housing and Homeless Coalition;  http://www.whhc.org/glossary.html

[4] Glossary of Terms.  Wake Housing and Homeless Coalition;  http://www.whhc.org/glossary.html

[5] Mission Statement.  National Coalition for the Homeless; http://www.nationalhomeless.org

[6] Community Planning and Development.  Department of Housing and Urban Development; http://www.hud.gov

[7] News Release.  Department of Housing and Urban Development; http://www.hud.gov

[8] Funding Resources.  Department of Housing and Urban Development; http://www.hud.gov

[9] News and Releases.  San Francisco Office of the Mayor;  http://www.ci.sf.ca.us

[10] Mental Health Issues.  Helpguide;  http://www.helpguide.org

[11] News and Events.  Mission Waco;  http://www.missionwaco.org

[12] Glossary of Terms.  Wake Housing and Homeless Coalition;  http://www.whhc.org/glossary.html

[13] Glossary of Terms.  Wake Housing and Homeless Coalition;  http://www.whhc.org/glossary.html

[14] Glossary of Terms.  Wake Housing and Homeless Coalition;  http://www.whhc.org/glossary.html

[15] Glossary of Terms.  Wake Housing and Homeless Coalition;  http://www.whhc.org/glossary.html

[16] Glossary of Terms.  Wake Housing and Homeless Coalition;  http://www.whhc.org/glossary.html

[17] Glossary of Terms.  Wake Housing and Homeless Coalition;  http://www.whhc.org/glossary.html

[18] Glossary of Terms.  Wake Housing and Homeless Coalition;  http://www.whhc.org/glossary.html