How is Homelessness Defined?
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines homelessness as children and youth "who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence."
This includes children and youth living in the following situations:
- shelters or transitional housing programs
- motels, hotels or weekly rate housing
- doubled up with friends or relatives because family cannot find or afford housing
- abandoned buildings, public space, car or other inadequate accommodation