An individual or family that does not have the means to secure and maintain a fixed, decent, safe, and adequate night-time residence. A HOMELESS PERSON may be characterized as being poor, living in the street, in cheaply rented rooms and/or other temporary accommodations. (Data Source: Oregon Housing & Community Service Department)

people who are homeless; "the homeless lived on the city streets"

an in your face truth to life on the streets and the men and women who take one day at a time

People needing immediate assistance in the form of shelter (included in the field « total affected »).

means as the term is defined in 42 U.S.C. 11302. " IN GENERAL. - For purposes of this Act, the term "homeless" or "homeless individual or homeless person" includes-- (1) an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and (2) an individual who has a primary nighttime residence that is: A) supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for the mentally ill); B) a institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or C) a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodations for human beings. INCOME ELIGIBILITY.- (1) IN GENERAL.-A homeless individual shall be eligible for assistance under any program provided by this Act, only if the individual complies with the income eligibility requirements otherwise applicable to such program EXCLUSION.- For purposes of this Act, the term "homeless" or "homeless individuals" does not include any individual imprisoned or otherwise detained under an Act of the Congress or a State law." (42 U.S.C. 11302)

An individual or family which lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, or an individual or family which has a primary nighttime resident that is: (1) a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for persons with mental illness); (2) an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or (3) a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; (4) the term does not include any individual imprisoned or otherwise detained pursuant to an Act of the Congress or a State law.

Persons from countries that do not have an American Embassy or Consulate where they can apply for immigrant visas are "homeless." For example, the United States Government does not have an embassy in Iran. Residents of Iran are "homeless" for visa purposes.

Persons who have no permanent residence, including children and adolescents with no fixed place of residence.

Given a wide interpretation to include not only "not having a roof over your head" but also being under threat of eviction, living inappropriately in an institution, sharing with friends or family, etc.