Operational Definition of “Homeless Person” for use at all levels: federal, state and local
A person is considered homeless only when he/she resides in one of the places described below:
1. In places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings (on the street).
2. In an emergency shelter.
3. In transitional or supportive housing for homeless persons who originally came from the streets or emergency shelters.
4. In any of the above places, but is spending a short time (up to 30 consecutive days) in a hospital or other institution.
5. Is being evicted within a week from a private dwelling unit and no subsequent residence has been identified and the person lacks the resources and support networks needed to obtain housing.
6. Is being discharged within a week from an institution, such as a mental health or substance abuse treatment facility, or a jail/prison, in which the person has been a resident for more than 30 consecutive days and no subsequent residence has been identified and the person lacks the resources and support networks needed to obtain housing.
7. Is fleeing a domestic violence housing situation, no subsequent residence has been identified, and the person lacks the resources and support networks needed to obtain housing.
Examples of persons who are not homeless are those who are:
1. In housing, even though they are paying an excessive amount for their housing, the housing is substandard and in need of repair, or the housing is crowded.
2. Incarcerated; however, upon discharge, the person is eligible if no subsequent residence has been identified and the person lacks the resources and support networks needed to obtain housing.
3. Living with relatives or friends.
4. Living in a Board and Care, Adult Congregate Living Facility, or similar place.
5. Being discharged from an institution, which is required to provide or arrange housing upon release.
6. Wards of the State, including youth in foster care or juvenile detention facilities.
Who are they?
To put a face on homelessness in Charlotte County, an annual point-in-time count has been conducted since 2000. Now, public officials and the business community accept the fact that there are many homeless persons in the county. These people fall within the purview of HUD's definition of who is "homeless" because they lack a fixed regular nighttime residence, and (1) they reside in a public or private place not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for humans (such as wooded areas, parks, under bridges, motor vehicles, abandoned buildings), or (2) they are being evicted from a private dwelling, have no subsequent residence, and lack the resources and support network needed to obtain housing, or (3) they are being discharged from an emergency shelter or referral agency (CARE - Center for Abuse and Rape Emergency, DASH - Domestic Abuse Shelter Homes, Salvation Army, Charlotte Youth Shelter, Housing Authority, local motel, hospital emergency room), have no subsequent residence, and lack the resources and support network needed to obtain housing.
Located at 1476 Kenesaw Street in Port Charlotte
Mail: PO Box 380157
Murdock, Florida 33938-0157
Phone: (941) 627-4313 Fax: (941) 627-9648
or email us.