Housing Insecurity

PERTINENT DEFINITIONS

From the FAFSA Simplification Act (Public Law No: 116-260) and The 2023-24 Application and Verification Guide

Homeless

A student is considered homeless if the student lacks fixed, regular, and adequate housing. This is broader than just living “on the street.” It includes temporarily living with other people because the student had nowhere else to go; living in substandard housing (if it doesn’t meet local building codes or the utilities are turned off, it is generally not adequate); living in emergency or transitional shelters, for example, trailers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after disasters; or living in motels, camping grounds, cars, parks, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations, or any public or private place not designed for humans to live in. It also includes living in the school dormitory if the student would otherwise be homeless. A student living in any of these situations and fleeing an abusive parent may be considered homeless even if the parent would provide support and a place to live. For more information on the definition of homelessness, see “Does My Living Situation Meet the Definition of Homelessness?”

Unaccompanied

When a student is not living in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.

Youth

Any student who is not yet 24 may qualify for a homeless youth determination.

Self-Supporting

When a student pays for his own living expenses, including a fixed, regular, and adequate housing.

At risk of being homeless

When a student’s housing may cease to be fixed, regular, and adequate, for example, a student
who is being evicted and has been unable to find fixed, regular, and adequate housing.