Homeless Resources
If you are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or know
someone that is homeless in Tarrant and Parker Counties, there is
help available. The Tarrant County Homeless Coalition's purpose is
to bring Tarrant and Parker County residents out of homelessness.
But, what is homelessness exactly? How does the government define
who is homeless?
On December 5, 2011, HUD published the final
rule on the Definition of Homeless in
the Federal Register. As this
is the final rule, there is not a further comment period for the
definition of homeless. The final rule on the Definition of
Homeless went into effect on January 4, 2012. The purpose of
this message is to provide links to resources that HUD has
developed on the definition as well as answer a few basic questions
on the implementation of the regulation. HUD will keep our
grantees posted as new resources are developed.
Who Does This New Rule Apply
To?
The rule applies to programs funded by HUD differently depending
on the type of program (formula or competitive) and, for
competitive programs, when your operating year begins. The
final rule applies to:
1. All recipients of
Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program funds.
2. All recipients of
SHP and S+C funding awarded through the FY 2011 CoC Competition at
the point that their renewal award takes effect. For example,
a project with a start date of May 1 would be subject to the new
definition regulation on May 1 when their 2011 renewal grant
agreement takes effect.
3. This definition does
not apply to HPRP programs or competitive projects that did not
renew in the 2011 Continuum of Care competition.
How Does the Rule Define
Homelessness?
The final rule on the Definition of Homeless establishes four
categories under which an individual or family may qualify as
homeless. The categories are:
- Literally homeless - An individual or family who
lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, meaning
the individual or family has a primary nighttime residence that is
a public or private place not meant for human habitation or is
living in a publicly or privately operated shelter designed to
provide temporary living arrangements. This category also
includes individuals who are exiting an institution where he or she
resided for 90 days or less who resided in an emergency shelter or
place not meant for human habitation immediately prior to entry
into the institution.
- Imminent Risk of Homelessness - an individual or
family who will imminently lose (within 14 days) their primary
nighttime residence provided that no subsequent residence has been
identified and the individual or family lacks the resources or
support networks needed to obtain other permanent housing.
- Homeless under other Federal Statutes -
unaccompanied youth (under 25) or families with children and youth
who do not otherwise qualify as homeless under this definition and
are defined as homeless under another federal statute, have not had
permanent housing during the past 60 days, have experience
persistent instability, and can be expected to continue in such
status for an extended period of time.
- Fleeing/Attempting to Flee DV - any individual or
family who is fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
To learn more about how the new final rule on the
federal definition of homelessness affects the Continuum of Care,
please visit the Tips and Resources page of the TCHC
website.
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