The Definition of Homelessness.

Changing the definition of Homelessness.

Dear Representative

The United States Code states that in Title 42, Chapter 119, Subchapter I, homeless is defined as:

The term “homeless” or “homeless individual or homeless person” includes:
an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and
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); an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,HUD)

During the last congressional session, a group of homeless advocates set out to bring forth a change in the current federal definition of homeless. As the effort was brought in front of congress and the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development the assumptions of people couch surfing, currently facing release from jail/prison facing homelessness, and motel/hotel low-income residents were to be brought into the current definition of homelessness.

This is a call to action to further that call to expanding the current definition of homelessness.

Thank You

[Your name]