One of the most visible types of homelessness. Rough sleeping includes sleeping outside or in places that aren't designed for people to live in, including cars, doorways and abandoned buildings.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a U.S. based non-profit, non-partisan organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the United States. The Alliance is a leading voice on the issue of homelessness.

Emergency shelter that provides private units or rooms as temporary shelter to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and do not require occupants to sign a lease or occupancy agreement.

Individuals who have personally experienced homelessness either previously or currently.

 A type of housing that includes one of three HUD housing programs: permanent supportive housing (PSH), rapid re-housing (RRH), and other permanent housing (OPH).

Permitted villages offer outdoor, temporary accommodation for people who are living unsheltered in conditions that threaten their health and safety.

Examples include cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings (on the street).

It applies to individuals and families on the brink of being unhoused. They have an annual income below 30 percent of the median income for the area.

Requirements may include a criminal background check, an income, a pledge to change behavior, for example use no alcohol or drugs/some may require drug testing, meet curfews, participate in life skills classes, work at the shelter or in another business or volunteer capacity.

More frequently, the word houseless is used in place of homeless. The reason is the important distinction between a house and a home. People described as homeless are not necessarily without homes.

Affordability is definitely a key component of housing insecurity. People lose their housing because they can no longer afford it.

Refers to providing people experiencing homelessness with independent and permanent housing as a first step. There are no preconditions or compliance requirements to being admitted into housing first programs.

Human trafficking is often referred to as modern-day slavery. According to the definition used by Homeland Security “human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.”

A Housing First, low-barrier, service-enriched shelter focused on moving people into permanent housing that provides temporary living facilities while case managers connect individuals experiencing homelessness to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and housing.

The idea that societal poverty exists if there is a lack of human relationships. One can have impaired relations with individuals in various degrees of severity.

In the homelessness context, barrier to entry means an obstacle to accessing a particular service. For example, shelters that do not allow pets can pose a barrier to entry to clients who own animals.

People experiencing chronic homelessness are entrenched in the shelter system, which acts as long-term housing for this population rather than an emergency option.

A shared living environment combining housing and services such as case management and employment services. Often in congregate shelters, people sleep in an open area with others. They are typically separated by gender and have set hours of operation.

Local planning bodies responsible for coordinating the full range of homelessness services in a geographic area, which may cover a city, county, metropolitan area, or an entire state.

Describes a person who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence

Refers to people who aren't part of official counts. They might be couch surfing at a friends, a relatives house, living in a car/rv or a motel.

By Jessica Bruder

A compelling and compassionate exploration of a hidden subculture of older Americans living on the road in search of seasonal work.

By Kevin F. Adler and Donald W. Burnes

Authors Kevin F. Adler and Donald W. Burnes offer a compelling exploration of the societal and individual implications of turning a blind eye to our unhoused neighbors, while also presenting a path forward toward compassionate and effective solutions.

By Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern

In this insightful book, the authors challenge many common misconceptions and focus on the structural factors—particularly housing market conditions—contributing to the homelessness crisis.

By John Lewis

Known for his lifelong dedication to social justice and human rights, John Lewis shares his wisdom and insights in this powerful work, offering a roadmap for creating lasting social change.