Homeless Person
A person is considered homeless only when he/she resides in one of the places described below:

• In places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings (on the street); or
• In an emergency shelter; or
• In transitional or supportive housing for homeless persons who originally came from the streets or emergency shelters.
• In any of the above places but is spending a short time (up to 30 consecutive days) in a hospital or other institution.
• Is being evicted within a week from a private dwelling unit or is fleeing a domestic violence situation with no subsequent residence identified and the person lacks the resources and support networks needed to obtain housing.
• Is being discharged within a week from an institution, such as a mental health or substance abuse treatment facility or a jail/prison, in which the person has been a resident for more than 30 consecutive days and no subsequent residence has been identified and the person lacks the financial resources and social support networks needed to obtain housing.

Chronically Homeless Person
Is defined by HUD as 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 (4) episodes of homelessness in the past three (3) years. In defining chronically homeless, the term "homeless" means "a person sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation (e.g. living on the streets) or in an emergency shelter". HUD defines "disabling condition" as "a diagnosable substance use disorder, serious mental illness, developmental disability, or chronic physical illness or disability, including the co-occurrence of two or more of these conditions."

Priority Populations

1. Individuals, including veterans and the elderly: Programs serving individuals with general needs. An eligible veteran is defined as one who: (1) served on active duty in the US armed forces for more than 160 days and was discharged with other than a dishonorable discharge; (2) was discharged or released from active duty because of a service connected disability; or (3) served on active duty during a period of war, or in a campaign or expedition to which a campaign badge is authorized. An elderly individual is 62 years old or older. Programs can serve persons with special needs (such as disabilities or substance abuse), but must not screen out individuals with no special needs. Programs that propose to serve persons with special needs as part of the total population must include a description of the needs and how they will be met.
    
2. Families with general needs: Programs serving families with general needs. Programs can serve persons with special needs (such as disabilities or substance abuse), but must not screen out families with no special needs. Programs that propose to serve persons with special needs as part of the total population must include a description of the needs and how they will be met.
    
3. Individuals with disabilities: Programs serving persons with disabilities. A person has a disability if she or he has at least one of the following: (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, (2) has a record of such an impairment, or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment.
    
4. Individuals with multiple diagnoses: Programs serving individuals whose ability to live independently is impaired by two or more of the following conditions: Physical disability (including HIV/AIDS), mental disability, and substance abuse. This may include a diagnosis of multiple physical disabilities, multiple mental disabilities, or the combination of the two.
    
5. Dually Diagnosed individuals: Programs serving individuals who are substantially limited in one or more major life activity by mental illness and alcohol or drug addiction. Persons with other diagnoses qualify under multiple diagnoses.
    
6. Substance Abuse individuals: Programs serving individuals who have acknowledged addiction problems related to alcohol and drug use and who seek services or housing to support their sobriety.
    
7. Mentally Ill individuals: Programs serving individuals substantially limited in one or more major life activity by mental illness, based on confirmed clinical diagnosis, or initially by referral or staff assessment and later confirmed by clinical diagnosis.
    
8. Mentally Ill families: Programs serving families in which at least one member is substantially limited in one or more major life activity by mental illness, based on confirmed clinical diagnosis, or initially by referral or staff assessment and later confirmed by clinical diagnosis.
    
9. Domestic Violence individuals: Programs serving individuals who became homeless because of an abusive partner. The abuse could be physical, mental, or emotional.
    
10. Domestic Violence families: Programs serving families that are homeless due to an abusive partner. The abuse could be physical, mental, or emotional. The cause of the family homelessness or housing instability must be related to domestic violence. Programs must have provisions for accommodating the child(ren) regardless of age or gender.
     
11. Parolees: Programs serving persons who have been discharged from the criminal justice system and who now have no home.
     
12. Emancipated Foster Youth: Programs serving young adults who have reached majority age (18 years) and were in the foster care system.
     
13. Youth (18-24): Programs serving unaccompanied persons age 18 to 24.
     
14. Runaway Youth (12-17): Programs serving unaccompanied persons, age 12 to 17, who have run away or were forced out of their home and are not in the company of a parent or guardian, and who may or may not be legally emancipated.