Administered by the US Census Bureau, the ACS is an annual survey that provides vital information about the US, it’s communities, and its residents. ACS data informs the distribution of trillions in federal funds each year and can be viewed at the local level to inform community planning. The ACS releases 1-year estimates (e.g., the year 2024) for geographies with a population of at least 65,000, and 5-year estimates (e.g., 2020-2024) for geographies regardless of population.
Per the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, housing is considered affordable if the occupant(s) pay no more than 30% of their income for gross housing costs, including utilities.
The Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) is a report containing nationwide data on homelessness and the homeless response system (e.g., national Point-in-Time data). It presented to the US Congress annually and is intended to inform federal funding decisions for housing and homelessness response.
APRs are annual reports, due to HUD, that document outcomes of allocated funding. APR metrics include the number of individuals served, the time of housing move-in, and demographic information. Guides to submitting APRs are available in the HMIS Knowledge Base.
AMI is the midpoint in the income distribution for a specific geographic area. For example, if a community’s AMI is $50,000, this means 50% of households earn less than $50,000 and 50% earn more than $50,000. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development calculates AMI levels for communities annually, with adjustments for family size. Federally funded housing programs often use AMI to determine the eligibility of applicants.
An agency providing services, support, and advocacy for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles is the state agency responsible for issuing drivers licenses, vehicle titles, and registrations, and maintaining driving records. The BMV is a valuable partner to the homeless response system, as having updated identification, such as a drivers licenses, is critical in the housing application and acquisition process.
A single list of individuals experiencing homelessness in our community, BNLs are often created within the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), or outside of HMIS for specific initiatives. In conjunction with vulnerability tools, BNLs can be used to prioritize and match individuals and families to available housing and services. BNLs are often used for specific subpopulations, such as veterans, families, individuals who are unsheltered, or folks experiencing chronic homelessness.
The Indiana Balance of State (BoS) typically refers to the Continuum of Care for the 91 Indiana counties outside of Marion County.
The Blueprint Council is the delegated authority and decision-making body for the Indianapolis Continuum of Care. They are responsible for setting strategy, defining annual system implementation priorities, and other leadership duties.
Bridge Housing (also referred to as Interim Housing) is a form of shelter aiming to transition vulnerable clients out of homelessness by providing stable shelter and facilitating placement into permanent housing. Models for Bridge Housing vary, but the ultimate goal is to provide a stable, temporary shelter with supportive services while clients and their case managers find, apply to, and ultimately obtain housing.
CAPER refers to federally required report for grantees of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program. These reports report on grantees accomplishments and progress toward their Consolidated Plan goals.
A meeting at which local stakeholders meet to coordinate housing placement and services for individuals prioritized in the local by-name lists of residents experiencing homelessness. Case conferencing may also be used to coordinate outreach efforts, complete document readiness, coordinate housing searches, and coordinate follow-up care between participating agencies.
The overall coordination of an individual’s treatment plan and use of services, which may include medical and mental health services, substance use services, and vocational training and employment. Although the definition of case management varies with local requirements and staff roles, a case manager often assumes responsibilities for outreach, advocacy, treatment, planning, and referral on behalf of individual clients.
Administered by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, CDBG provides eligible communities with annual direct grants which they can use to revitalize neighborhoods, expand affordable housing and economic opportunities, and/or improve community facilities and services. Grants principally benefit low-income and moderate-income persons.
A centralized process to connect our community’s most vulnerable residents to housing through a single, community-wide assessment tool and program matching. The CES aims to swiftly connect residents to appropriate and tailored housing and services. Individuals and families with the greatest needs typically receive priority for housing and assistance, such as permanent supportive housing.
CES processes are housed within the Continuum of Care’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Provides low-cost or free health coverage to children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. Learn more here.
A 501(c)3 organization, the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) serves as the backbone agency for the Indianapolis Continuum of Care. Our roles and responsibilities include:
- Data: we oversee the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), the database utilized by federally funded agencies in our local homeless response system. Learn more here.
- Coordinated Entry: CHIP manages the Coordinated Entry System (CES), the process through which households are assessed, prioritized, and referred to permanent housing programs. Learn more here.
- Education: our team loves to engage with congregations, student groups, and other organizations to use data to drive data-informed and human-centered advocacy. You can request an engagement here!
- Funding: in addition to overseeing federal funding reporting, CHIP works to ensure flexible, unrestricted funding to support our neighbors experiencing homelessness, such as the Street Reach Indy fund.
- Collective Impact: no one can solve homelessness alone, so CHIP coordinates action planning, facilitates workshops, and works to drive a unified mission across the sector.
It is important to note, CHIP has one of the coolest teams in town!
Residents are considered “chronically homeless” if they:
(a) have been experiencing homelessness for at least a year OR experienced 4 or more episodes of homelessness over 3 years, the cumulative length of which adds to at least a year, AND
(b) report a chronic disability or vulnerability (e.g., a physical disability), AND
(c) are staying in a place not meant for human habitation (e.g., a vehicle, abandoned building, or outdoor encampment), an emergency shelter, or a safe haven.
For households with multiple residents, if one member of the household is considered chronically homeless, the entire household is considered chronically homeless.
Additional details are available here: https://www.hudexchange.info/homelessness-assistance/coc-esg-virtual-binders/coc-esg-homeless-eligibility/definition-of-chronic-homelessness
A means of restricting use of land and housing through not-for-profit ownership of land with leases to the land users. It is often used to ensure long-term housing affordability. When a homeowner sells the property, the equity is shared between the homeowner and the Community Land Trust, and the next buyer often has to have low or moderate income.
Facilities designed to offer a range of mental health services to individuals within their communities. These centers are typically funded by government sources and aim to provide accessible and affordable care to those who may not have the means to seek or afford private mental health services.
The federal agency that administers the nations major healthcare programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and oversees national health policy and quality standards
Composed of representatives of organizations in a defined geographic area, the responsibilities of a CoC include operating the CoC, designating and operating a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), planning for the CoC (including coordinating the implementation of a housing and service system within its geographic area that meets the needs of the individuals and families who experience homelessness there), and designing and implementing the process associated with applying for CoC Program funds.
As required by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Collaborative Applicant is the entity designated by a Continuum of Care to collect and submit data and apply for funds on behalf of the Continuum of Care
Facilities with overnight sleeping accommodations in shared quarters. Often used in emergency shelter programs.
Co-signer refers to a third party to a debt that provides a guarantee that a debt will be repaid
Ratio of housing costs to household income. A household is considered “housing-cost burdened” if over 30% of gross income goes to housing costs.
Couch-surfing refers to individuals or families who do not have a permanent residence (e.g., a leased rental) and are temporarily staying with friends or family (e.g., on their couch). Broadly, doubled up refers to individuals who are living with family, friends, or other non-relatives.
The US Department Housing and Urban Development does not include couch-surfing or doubled up residents in their definition of “homeless.”
An HMIS data element for street outreach or night-by-night emergency shelters, Date of Engagement refers to the date an interactive client relationship results in a deliberate client assessment or beginning of a case plan. Date of Engagement may be on or after the Project Start Date, and must be before or on the Project Exit Date.
A resource that offers daytime facilities and services (no lodging or overnight access) for persons experiencing homelessness who need access to a variety of basic needs (bathrooms, showers, food, clothing), resources (computers, phones, mail), and/or services (case management, assessment, employment support)
A mortgage is in default when the borrower fails to make any payment or to perform any other obligation under the mortgage for a period of 30 days
A mortgage is considered delinquent any time a mortgage payment is due and unpaid
Disabling conditions refer to physical, mental, or emotional conditions that are (a) expected to be long-term, (b) impede an individual’s ability to live independently, and (c) could be improved with more suitable and stable housing conditions. Disabling conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Physical disabilities
- Chronic health conditions (e.g., HIV/AIDS)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Developmental disabilities
- Brain injuries
Diversion programs help keep individuals from entering the homelessness response system at the point when they are seeking shelter. They help households identify immediate, safe alternatives to entering the response system, and often emphasize problem-solving conversations, conflict mediation, and connection to supports or resources to avoid entering shelter.
DMD is an Indianapolis city agency that works to plan the future of Indianapolis, increase job opportunities, develop affordable homes, and encourage businesses to invest in Indianapolis. As the designated Collaborative Applicant, DMD staff complete the annual application for Continuum of Care (CoC) funding through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Pattern of behaviors used by a partner or household member to maintain power and control over another partner. This includes behaviors that physically harm, intimidate, manipulate, or control a partner, or otherwise force them to behave in ways they do not want to, including through physical violence, threats, emotional abuse, or financial control.
Couch-surfing refers to individuals or families who do not have a permanent residence (e.g., a leased rental) and are temporarily staying with friends or family (e.g., on their couch). Broadly, doubled up refers to individuals who are living with family, friends, or other non-relatives.
The US Department Housing and Urban Development does not include couch-surfing or doubled up residents in their definition of “homeless.”
The Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay their heating and electric bills. Learn more about EAP in Indiana and EAP in Indianapolis.
Created under the American Rescue Plan, the Emergency Housing Voucher program is designed to assist vulnerable populations, including those at risk of homelessness. The program has provided about 70,000 housing choice vouchers to local Public Housing Authorities to help individuals and families secure and maintain stable housing.
Employment Income refers to income received as an employee of a business that is reported on IRS Form W-2.
An encroachment refers to an interference with or intrusion onto another’s property (e.g., when a neighbor builds a fence or places a shed that extends onto your property without your permission)
Emergency shelters are facilities whose primary purpose is to provide temporary, short-term shelter for those experiencing homelessness, with no requirement for leases or occupancy agreements. They may be open to anyone experiencing homelessness or be designated for specific subpopulations (e.g., women and children). Typically, emergency shelters have shorter stays than other shelter options and they generally do not provide services beyond basic needs (e.g., meals).
Provides funds for a variety of activities to address homelessness as authorized under the federal Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009 and State program requirements. The grant is block funds to entitlement communities (state governments, metropolitan cities, urban counties, and U.S. territories) depending on levels of need and poverty. ESG funds are available for five (5) program components: street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing assistance, and data collection through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
Eva is a web-based data analysis tool that can help HMIS Leads and System Administrators assess the accuracy and completeness of the data collected within their HMIS and understand their homeless response system’s flow and performance. If you are a Continuum of Care organization using HMIS and would like CHIP to analyze your HMIS data through Eva, please submit utilize our Data Request Form.
The process of a landlord removing a tenant or tenants from a rental property. A formal eviction follows legal procedures through the court system and results in a court order for removal, while an informal eviction occurs outside the legal process – such as changing locks, pressuring a tenant to leave, or a tenant leaving following the threat of an eviction.
Typically refers to income that does not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Legislation first enacted in 1968 – and expanded by amendments in 1974 and 1988 – that provides the Secretary of the US Housing and Urban Development Department with investigation and enforcement responsibilities for fair housing practices. Prohibits discrimination in housing and lending based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status.
“Indy’s Faith-Based Street Outreach promotes collaboration and communication among people of faith in Central Indiana who serve the needs of friends experiencing homelessness.” Learn more here.
Guidelines issued each year by the US Department of Health and Human Services as a simplification of the federal poverty thresholds. These are used to determine financial eligibility for certain federal programs.
Fair Market Rent is generally calculated as the 40th percentile of gross rents for regular, standard quality units in a local housing market. FMR excludes units that are low-quality, subsidized, or built in the last two years. Developed by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to determine payments for various housing assistance programs, FMR data is typically taken from recent move-ins rather than long-term tenants. FMR includes core utilities, like water and power, but does not include internet or other optional services.
A permanent supportive housing program for youth through DCS. Young adults are eligible for these housing vouchers if they are at least 18 years old, under 24 years old, left the foster care system at age 16 or older, or will leave foster care within 90 days of application.
A Veteran Administration (VA) program providing grants to recipients and eligible entities to provide transitional housing with supportive services for veterans experiencing homelessness as they transition to permanent housing.
The Housing Acquisition Team, through HomeNow Indy, identifies landlords who are willing to lease their available units to individuals and families who are connected to our partner agencies in the city of Indianapolis and are experiencing homelessness. The Housing Acquisition team maintains Padmission Connect, an online housing search service designed to connect participating landlords with available units to partnering agencies providing case management for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The Housing Acquisition Team is responsible for improving access to the web-based platform for landlords to list their available units for free and for case managers to easily and quickly search for available units.
Authorized under Section 8 of the Housing Act of 1937, this rental assistance program is administered by local public housing authorities and provides housing vouchers to eligible tenants. It is perhaps the most common housing assistance provided to very low-income households. In 1998, the Section 8 certificate and voucher programs were merged into the new Housing Choice Voucher Program.
The US federal agency responsible for protecting public health and providing essential human services through programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and public health initiatives
A point-in-time/single-night inventory of provider programs within the CoC
Federal law protecting sensitive patient information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge.
Local information technology system used to collect client-level data on the provision of housing and services to individuals and families experiencing, or at the risk of experiencing, homelessness. Learn more about our HMIS here.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines 4 categories of homelessness:
- Individuals and families who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and including a subset for an individual who resided in an emergency shelter or a place not meant for human habitation and who is exiting an institution where they temporarily resided.
- Individuals and families who will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence and have not identified a subsequent residence.
- Unaccompanied youth and young adults under 25 years old, and families with children and youth who are defined as homeless under other federal statutes who do not otherwise qualify as homeless under this definition.
- Individuals and families who are fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous life-threatening conditions that relate to violence against the individual or a family member.
A strategy that prevents homelessness by helping households at imminent risk of homelessness, but who are not yet without housing. Examples of homeless prevention are rental assistance, utility arrears, and landlord mediation to prevent an eviction.
Students are considered to be experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act if they are without a regular adequate residence, which includes students living in shelters, substandard housing, single room hotels, cars, parks, public places, or doubled up with friends or relatives because they have no other place to go and cannot afford a home.
The HomeNow Indy Initiative is a coordinated, system-wide approach connecting individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis with rental assistance and services that will help them find housing and stay housed long-term. HomeNow Indy is grounded in the belief that ending homelessness requires access to safe, affordable, and person-centered permanent housing choices.
Funding program that may be used for housing for persons living with HIV.
A short-term intervention where community members (“hosts”) provide housing in their homes for young people experiencing homelessness
An evidence-based approach to quickly and successfully connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness to permanent housing without preconditions and barriers to entry (e.g., sobriety, treatment, or service participation requirements). Housing First is NOT housing only. Supportive services are offered to maximize housing stability and prevent returns to homelessness as opposed to addressing predetermined treatment goals prior to permanent housing entry.
A bridge from a housing referral to permanent housing. The goal is to reduce the length of time between a housing referral and lease signing, and having more housing referrals result in successful housing placements.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development is a federal agency, established in 1965, the purpose of which is the implementation and administration of government housing and urban development programs.
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority works to “help communities build upon their assets to create places with ready access to opportunities, goods, and services, and promote, finance, and support a broad range of housing solutions, from temporary shelters to homeownership.” IHCDA also serves as the Collaborative Applicant for the Indiana Balance of State Continuum of Care.
IHA is the federally funded public housing authority for Indianapolis, IN. In this role, IHA oversees low-rent public housing for low-income families, seniors, and residents with disabilities, manages the Housing Choice Voucher program, and partners with state and local entities in housing development through the nonprofit arm. You can learn more at their website.
Financial gain proceeding from property, labor, or business. In figuring rent in subsidy programs, income includes but is not limited to: annual gross income including welfare assistance; unemployment and disability compensation, interest, dividends, and child support payments.
The input of basic client data into a database upon entry into a program (e.g., capturing and loading required data into the Homeless Management Information System upon entry to an emergency shelter.
Justice-Involved
Refers to individuals who have had interactions with the criminal justice system (e.g., jails, prisons, or youth correctional facilities), including those currently incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, or involved in other legal processes.
Social Services grant program that provides funding to low-income households for energy bills, including heating and cooling.
Tax incentive created in the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that is designed to attract equity capital for investment in rent-restricted affordable housing. The program aims to encourage the production of affordable housing by offering its owners tax credits for a ten (10) year period based on the cost of development and the number of low-income units produced.
The Learning Management System is how CHIP provides certain mandated training for new HMIS users, new Coordinated Entry assessors, and other trainings.
Letters of Intent are documents outlining the understanding between two are more parties, which they intend to formalize in a future, legally binding agreement.
The amount of time an individual or household is enrolled in a shelter or housing program.
Shelters that have removed most requirement/obstacles for entry into their program, so that households are more likely to get indoors and connect to services rather than sleep on the street. Examples of low-barrier programming include: unhoused residents are allowed to bring in their pets and possessions, partners are allowed to live together regardless of gender, and adult children are allowed to stay with their parents. In a low-barrier setting, individuals are not expected to abstain from alcohol or drug use, provided they do not use these substances in common areas of the shelter and are respectful of staff and other clients.
Income that does not exceed eighty percent (80%) of Area Median Income (AMI)
A federally mandated annual report that provides our CoC and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development with critical information about how people experiencing homelessness use their system.
A federal law created to support the enrollment and education of students experiencing homelessness. McKinney-Vento is intended to provide these students the same educational opportunities as housed students by removing as many barriers to learning as possible.
Primary contact between families experiencing homelessness and school staff, district personnel, shelter workers, and other services providers. Every school district is required to designate a liaison.
State and federally funded health care for low-income adults, children, pregnant residents, elderly adults, and residents with disabilities.
The national health insurance program for residents age sixty-five (65) and older and for some persons under age sixty-five (65) with disabilities.
A type of development that serves households at various income levels, allowing or requiring affordable housing to be combined with market-rate housing through cross subsidies, thereby making the development of affordable units more financially feasible.
“The Mayor’s Leadership Council on Homelessness (MLCH) is an initiative aimed at uniting key leaders across the civic, philanthropic, corporate, and healthcare sectors to strengthen the city’s homeless response system. The council, which held its inaugural meeting on October 1, 2024, will serve as a critical partner in advancing the city’s long-term strategy to combat homelessness, including efforts to address racial disparities among those who are experiencing homelessness.” – Learn more here.
A type of agreement between two or more parties that expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. They are often used in cases where parties do not imply a legal commitment, or in situations where parties cannot create a legally enforceable agreement.
A geographical region in the US with a relatively high population density at its core, and close economic ties throughout the region. Many federal programs and funding streams consider data at the MSA level.
A shelter model where each individual or household has living space that offers some level of privacy, such as hotels, motels, or dormitories. This model became critical in providing safer shelter environments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A notice provided by funders to announce a competitive funding process is open and receiving applications. Continuums of Care (CoCs) typically use “NOFO” to refer to funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
An approach focused on engaging people experiencing unsheltered homelessness and connecting them with emergency shelter options, critical services, and permanent housing. Outreach may provide urgent, non-facility-based care to unsheltered people who are unwilling or unable to access emergency shelter, housing, or an appropriate health facility.
Federal grant program providing assistance to individuals who are experiencing or at the risk of experiencing homelessness and have serious mental illnesses.
A public agency created to finance or operate low-income housing
A federally mandated, single-night census of sheltered and unsheltered residents experiencing homelessness. PIT Counts occur within the last 10 days of January, are required for any community receiving federal Continuum of Care funding, and are logistically managed at the local level.
An intervention that combines affordable housing assistance with support services to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness. PSH is designed to connect residents with community-based health care, treatment, and/or employment services. PSH is reserved for households where at least one member has a disability (i.e., a mental health condition, physical disability, developmental disability, chronic health condition, and/or a substance use disorder) AND is experiencing chronic homelessness. Essentially, this is funding reserved for households where an individual could not reasonably be expected to achieve housing stability without additional support.
It is important to note that eligibility for these projects under the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care (CoC) program also requires meeting any additional eligibility criteria set forth in the Fiscal Year (FY) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under which the project was funded.
Within Continuums of Care, homelessness prevention refers to a strategy that prevents homelessness by helping households at imminent risk of homelessness, but who are not yet without housing. Examples of homeless prevention are rental assistance, utility arrears, and landlord mediation to prevent an eviction.
In homeless and housing programs, “recidivism” refers to a return to homelessness after moving into a permanent housing unit. Typically documented in HMIS, returns to homelessness are often analyzed at 6, 12, and 24 months after moving into a unit.
A document that solicits a proposal, often made through a bidding process, by an agency or company interested in procurement of a commodity, service, or valuable asset, to potential suppliers to submit business proposals
Grants that provide foundational support to address youth and young adult homelessness
A permanent housing intervention that provides housing relocation and stabilization services and short- and/or medium-term rental assistance as necessary to help an individual or family move as quickly as possible into permanent housing and achieve stability in that housing. Rapid rehousing couples time-limited rental assistance, housing search and placement support, and supportive services (case management, housing stability planning) to households with lower service needs who can maintain or sustain housing on their own after rental assistance ends.
Sage is an HMIS Reporting Repository, used by recipients of HUD Continuum of Care or Emergency Services Grants, to upload required reports (e.g., the Annual Performance Report)
Supportive housing that serves hard-to-reach individuals experiencing homelessness with a severe mental illness who have been unwilling to participate in supportive services with 24-hour services, limited to 25 people or fewer, and provides low-demand services and referrals.
A federal US program that provides food purchasing assistance to low- and no-income households to help them maintain adequate nutrition. It is administered by the US Department of Agriculture.
Evidence-based model/training to assist and expedite residents in securing social security benefits and income
Indy’s Street Outreach Animal Rescue Initiative assists vulnerable individuals who may need support with access to healthcare for themselves or their pets through crisis or transition. Learn more here.
Street Reach Indy (SRI) is a crucial flexible fund managed by CHIP Indy, designed to assist service providers across Marion County with breaking down barriers that prevent their clients from securing safe and permanent housing. This unique fund, the only one of its kind in our community, is accessible to any service provider and addresses urgent needs such as obtaining vital documents, paying housing application fees, covering transportation for family reunification, moving costs, furniture needs, substance abuse treatment, and first month’s rent.
A payroll tax-funded federal insurance program of the US government. It is managed by the Social Security Administration and is designed to provide monthly benefits to people who have a medically determinable disability (physical or mental) that restricts their ability to be employed. SSDI does not provide partial or temporary benefits, but rather pays only full benefits and only pays benefits in cases in which the disability is expected to last at least one year or result in death.
SSI is a means-tested federal program that provides cash payments to disabled children, disabled adults, and individuals aged 65 or older who are citizens or nationals of the United States.
The identification number assigned to residents under the Social Security program.
An intervention that offers stand-alone supportive services without a housing resource or rental subsidy to address the special needs of participants (such as childcare, employment assistance, and transportation services) and is focused on stabilizing housing.
VA contract funding for homeless veterans and their families. Resources include prevention funding, rapid-resolution funding, and rental assistance similar to Rapid Rehousing, as well as providing case management and supportive services for program participants.
STHI is a multi-year, 3-phase initiative to end chronic and unsheltered homelessness in Indianapolis. Phase 1 involves directly housing individuals from the streets. You can learn more at https://www.chipindy.org/streetstohomeindy
A federal assistance program that provides cash assistance to families through the US Department of Health and Human Services
Rental subsidies that are portable and held by the tenant instead of the unit. A rental subsidy that helps make up the difference between what a renter can afford to pay and the actual rent for the home.
Transitional housing provides temporary housing with supportive services to individuals and/or families experiencing homelessness with the goal of successfully moving to and maintaining permanent housing. These projects can cover housing costs and accompanying supportive services for program participants for up to 24 months. Clients must have a signed lease, sublease, or occupancy agreement, which (a) has an initial term of at least one month, (b) is automatically renewable upon expiration, except by prior notice by either party, and (c) has a maximum term of 24 months.
In Indianapolis, the vast majority of our transitional housing beds are reserved for youth and young adults or veterans and veteran families.
TH:RRH are HUD funded programs that provide short term housign and supportive services to individual and families to quickly move them from homelessness into permanent housing. Below is a distinction between TH (Transitional Housing), RRH (Rapid Rehousing), and TH:RRH:
- TH (Transitional Housing): Temporary housing with supportive services to stabilize residents before moving to permanent housing.
- RRH (Rapid Re-Housing): Short-term rental assistance and services to quickly move people from homelessness into permanent housing.
- TH:RRH: A hybrid approach where people start in transitional housing but are rapidly transitioned into permanent housing with support.
An assessment that a program or caseworker conducts, as an entry point to resources, to determine the specific needs of an individual or family in crisis and direct them to appropriate resources
Series of data elements in the Homeless Management Information System that are required to be entered for each client
Youth who are experiencing homelessness and are the only member of their household (i.e., they are not with parents, siblings, children, grandparents, or other individuals)
A person who, with the consent of a tenant, is staying in the unit, but is not listed on the lease documents or approved by the owner to dwell in the unit. An owner must follow state or local law regarding an unauthorized occupant and establish an equitable and consistent policy and incorporate that policy into the house rules.
Independent federal agency within the US executive branch that leads the implementation of the federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness
Housing Choice vouchers administered by Public Housing Authorities for eligible veterans experiencing homelessness. Tenant selection and supportive services are provided by the VA.
VI-SPDAT is a pre-screening tool formerly used within the Coordinated Entry System to assess the health and social needs of households in the homeless response system and match them with the most appropriate and available support and housing interventions. Indianapolis has moved away from using the VI-SPDAT and is using a locally informed and developed prioritization tool.
Person who served in the active military, naval or air service and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. The definition is codified as 36 U.S.C. 101(2) and used by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Note: for most housing and homelessness related programming, “veteran” excludes individuals who were in the National Guard but were not deployed.
A term used to refer to a type of rental subsidy. Low-income households use vouchers to help pay for housing they find in the private market
An organization whose primary mission is to provide services to victims of domestic violence, data violence, sexual assault, or stalking
A nutrition program nationally recognized as an effective means for improving access to notorious foods and promoting healthier eating and lifestyles. Learn more about WIC in Indiana here.
Within the Continuum of Care, “youth” typically refers to individuals under the age of 18, and “young adult” refers to individuals age 18 – 24.
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Administered by the US Census Bureau, the ACS is an annual survey that provides vital information about the US, it’s communities, and its residents. ACS data informs the distribution of trillions in federal funds each year and can be viewed at the local level to inform community planning. The ACS releases 1-year estimates (e.g., the year 2024) for geographies with a population of at least 65,000, and 5-year estimates (e.g., 2020-2024) for geographies regardless of population.
Per the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, housing is considered affordable if the occupant(s) pay no more than 30% of their income for gross housing costs, including utilities.
The Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) is a report containing nationwide data on homelessness and the homeless response system (e.g., national Point-in-Time data). It presented to the US Congress annually and is intended to inform federal funding decisions for housing and homelessness response.
APRs are annual reports, due to HUD, that document outcomes of allocated funding. APR metrics include the number of individuals served, the time of housing move-in, and demographic information. Guides to submitting APRs are available in the HMIS Knowledge Base.
AMI is the midpoint in the income distribution for a specific geographic area. For example, if a community’s AMI is $50,000, this means 50% of households earn less than $50,000 and 50% earn more than $50,000. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development calculates AMI levels for communities annually, with adjustments for family size. Federally funded housing programs often use AMI to determine the eligibility of applicants.
An agency providing services, support, and advocacy for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS
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The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles is the state agency responsible for issuing drivers licenses, vehicle titles, and registrations, and maintaining driving records. The BMV is a valuable partner to the homeless response system, as having updated identification, such as a drivers licenses, is critical in the housing application and acquisition process.
A single list of individuals experiencing homelessness in our community, BNLs are often created within the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), or outside of HMIS for specific initiatives. In conjunction with vulnerability tools, BNLs can be used to prioritize and match individuals and families to available housing and services. BNLs are often used for specific subpopulations, such as veterans, families, individuals who are unsheltered, or folks experiencing chronic homelessness.
The Indiana Balance of State (BoS) typically refers to the Continuum of Care for the 91 Indiana counties outside of Marion County.
The Blueprint Council is the delegated authority and decision-making body for the Indianapolis Continuum of Care. They are responsible for setting strategy, defining annual system implementation priorities, and other leadership duties.
Bridge Housing (also referred to as Interim Housing) is a form of shelter aiming to transition vulnerable clients out of homelessness by providing stable shelter and facilitating placement into permanent housing. Models for Bridge Housing vary, but the ultimate goal is to provide a stable, temporary shelter with supportive services while clients and their case managers find, apply to, and ultimately obtain housing.
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CAPER refers to federally required report for grantees of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program. These reports report on grantees accomplishments and progress toward their Consolidated Plan goals.
A meeting at which local stakeholders meet to coordinate housing placement and services for individuals prioritized in the local by-name lists of residents experiencing homelessness. Case conferencing may also be used to coordinate outreach efforts, complete document readiness, coordinate housing searches, and coordinate follow-up care between participating agencies.
The overall coordination of an individual’s treatment plan and use of services, which may include medical and mental health services, substance use services, and vocational training and employment. Although the definition of case management varies with local requirements and staff roles, a case manager often assumes responsibilities for outreach, advocacy, treatment, planning, and referral on behalf of individual clients.
Administered by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, CDBG provides eligible communities with annual direct grants which they can use to revitalize neighborhoods, expand affordable housing and economic opportunities, and/or improve community facilities and services. Grants principally benefit low-income and moderate-income persons.
A centralized process to connect our community’s most vulnerable residents to housing through a single, community-wide assessment tool and program matching. The CES aims to swiftly connect residents to appropriate and tailored housing and services. Individuals and families with the greatest needs typically receive priority for housing and assistance, such as permanent supportive housing.
CES processes are housed within the Continuum of Care’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Provides low-cost or free health coverage to children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. Learn more here.
A 501(c)3 organization, the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) serves as the backbone agency for the Indianapolis Continuum of Care. Our roles and responsibilities include:
- Data: we oversee the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), the database utilized by federally funded agencies in our local homeless response system. Learn more here.
- Coordinated Entry: CHIP manages the Coordinated Entry System (CES), the process through which households are assessed, prioritized, and referred to permanent housing programs. Learn more here.
- Education: our team loves to engage with congregations, student groups, and other organizations to use data to drive data-informed and human-centered advocacy. You can request an engagement here!
- Funding: in addition to overseeing federal funding reporting, CHIP works to ensure flexible, unrestricted funding to support our neighbors experiencing homelessness, such as the Street Reach Indy fund.
- Collective Impact: no one can solve homelessness alone, so CHIP coordinates action planning, facilitates workshops, and works to drive a unified mission across the sector.
It is important to note, CHIP has one of the coolest teams in town!
Residents are considered “chronically homeless” if they:
(a) have been experiencing homelessness for at least a year OR experienced 4 or more episodes of homelessness over 3 years, the cumulative length of which adds to at least a year, AND
(b) report a chronic disability or vulnerability (e.g., a physical disability), AND
(c) are staying in a place not meant for human habitation (e.g., a vehicle, abandoned building, or outdoor encampment), an emergency shelter, or a safe haven.
For households with multiple residents, if one member of the household is considered chronically homeless, the entire household is considered chronically homeless.
Additional details are available here: https://www.hudexchange.info/homelessness-assistance/coc-esg-virtual-binders/coc-esg-homeless-eligibility/definition-of-chronic-homelessness
A means of restricting use of land and housing through not-for-profit ownership of land with leases to the land users. It is often used to ensure long-term housing affordability. When a homeowner sells the property, the equity is shared between the homeowner and the Community Land Trust, and the next buyer often has to have low or moderate income.
Facilities designed to offer a range of mental health services to individuals within their communities. These centers are typically funded by government sources and aim to provide accessible and affordable care to those who may not have the means to seek or afford private mental health services.
The federal agency that administers the nations major healthcare programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and oversees national health policy and quality standards
Composed of representatives of organizations in a defined geographic area, the responsibilities of a CoC include operating the CoC, designating and operating a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), planning for the CoC (including coordinating the implementation of a housing and service system within its geographic area that meets the needs of the individuals and families who experience homelessness there), and designing and implementing the process associated with applying for CoC Program funds.
As required by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Collaborative Applicant is the entity designated by a Continuum of Care to collect and submit data and apply for funds on behalf of the Continuum of Care
Facilities with overnight sleeping accommodations in shared quarters. Often used in emergency shelter programs.
Co-signer refers to a third party to a debt that provides a guarantee that a debt will be repaid
Ratio of housing costs to household income. A household is considered “housing-cost burdened” if over 30% of gross income goes to housing costs.
Couch-surfing refers to individuals or families who do not have a permanent residence (e.g., a leased rental) and are temporarily staying with friends or family (e.g., on their couch). Broadly, doubled up refers to individuals who are living with family, friends, or other non-relatives.
The US Department Housing and Urban Development does not include couch-surfing or doubled up residents in their definition of “homeless.”
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An HMIS data element for street outreach or night-by-night emergency shelters, Date of Engagement refers to the date an interactive client relationship results in a deliberate client assessment or beginning of a case plan. Date of Engagement may be on or after the Project Start Date, and must be before or on the Project Exit Date.
A resource that offers daytime facilities and services (no lodging or overnight access) for persons experiencing homelessness who need access to a variety of basic needs (bathrooms, showers, food, clothing), resources (computers, phones, mail), and/or services (case management, assessment, employment support)
A mortgage is in default when the borrower fails to make any payment or to perform any other obligation under the mortgage for a period of 30 days
A mortgage is considered delinquent any time a mortgage payment is due and unpaid
Disabling conditions refer to physical, mental, or emotional conditions that are (a) expected to be long-term, (b) impede an individual’s ability to live independently, and (c) could be improved with more suitable and stable housing conditions. Disabling conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Physical disabilities
- Chronic health conditions (e.g., HIV/AIDS)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Developmental disabilities
- Brain injuries
Diversion programs help keep individuals from entering the homelessness response system at the point when they are seeking shelter. They help households identify immediate, safe alternatives to entering the response system, and often emphasize problem-solving conversations, conflict mediation, and connection to supports or resources to avoid entering shelter.
DMD is an Indianapolis city agency that works to plan the future of Indianapolis, increase job opportunities, develop affordable homes, and encourage businesses to invest in Indianapolis. As the designated Collaborative Applicant, DMD staff complete the annual application for Continuum of Care (CoC) funding through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Pattern of behaviors used by a partner or household member to maintain power and control over another partner. This includes behaviors that physically harm, intimidate, manipulate, or control a partner, or otherwise force them to behave in ways they do not want to, including through physical violence, threats, emotional abuse, or financial control.
Couch-surfing refers to individuals or families who do not have a permanent residence (e.g., a leased rental) and are temporarily staying with friends or family (e.g., on their couch). Broadly, doubled up refers to individuals who are living with family, friends, or other non-relatives.
The US Department Housing and Urban Development does not include couch-surfing or doubled up residents in their definition of “homeless.”
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The Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay their heating and electric bills. Learn more about EAP in Indiana and EAP in Indianapolis.
Created under the American Rescue Plan, the Emergency Housing Voucher program is designed to assist vulnerable populations, including those at risk of homelessness. The program has provided about 70,000 housing choice vouchers to local Public Housing Authorities to help individuals and families secure and maintain stable housing.
Employment Income refers to income received as an employee of a business that is reported on IRS Form W-2.
An encroachment refers to an interference with or intrusion onto another’s property (e.g., when a neighbor builds a fence or places a shed that extends onto your property without your permission)
Emergency shelters are facilities whose primary purpose is to provide temporary, short-term shelter for those experiencing homelessness, with no requirement for leases or occupancy agreements. They may be open to anyone experiencing homelessness or be designated for specific subpopulations (e.g., women and children). Typically, emergency shelters have shorter stays than other shelter options and they generally do not provide services beyond basic needs (e.g., meals).
Provides funds for a variety of activities to address homelessness as authorized under the federal Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009 and State program requirements. The grant is block funds to entitlement communities (state governments, metropolitan cities, urban counties, and U.S. territories) depending on levels of need and poverty. ESG funds are available for five (5) program components: street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing assistance, and data collection through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
Eva is a web-based data analysis tool that can help HMIS Leads and System Administrators assess the accuracy and completeness of the data collected within their HMIS and understand their homeless response system’s flow and performance. If you are a Continuum of Care organization using HMIS and would like CHIP to analyze your HMIS data through Eva, please submit utilize our Data Request Form.
The process of a landlord removing a tenant or tenants from a rental property. A formal eviction follows legal procedures through the court system and results in a court order for removal, while an informal eviction occurs outside the legal process – such as changing locks, pressuring a tenant to leave, or a tenant leaving following the threat of an eviction.
Typically refers to income that does not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the Area Median Income (AMI).
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Legislation first enacted in 1968 – and expanded by amendments in 1974 and 1988 – that provides the Secretary of the US Housing and Urban Development Department with investigation and enforcement responsibilities for fair housing practices. Prohibits discrimination in housing and lending based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status.
“Indy’s Faith-Based Street Outreach promotes collaboration and communication among people of faith in Central Indiana who serve the needs of friends experiencing homelessness.” Learn more here.
Guidelines issued each year by the US Department of Health and Human Services as a simplification of the federal poverty thresholds. These are used to determine financial eligibility for certain federal programs.
Fair Market Rent is generally calculated as the 40th percentile of gross rents for regular, standard quality units in a local housing market. FMR excludes units that are low-quality, subsidized, or built in the last two years. Developed by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to determine payments for various housing assistance programs, FMR data is typically taken from recent move-ins rather than long-term tenants. FMR includes core utilities, like water and power, but does not include internet or other optional services.
A permanent supportive housing program for youth through DCS. Young adults are eligible for these housing vouchers if they are at least 18 years old, under 24 years old, left the foster care system at age 16 or older, or will leave foster care within 90 days of application.
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A Veteran Administration (VA) program providing grants to recipients and eligible entities to provide transitional housing with supportive services for veterans experiencing homelessness as they transition to permanent housing.
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The Housing Acquisition Team, through HomeNow Indy, identifies landlords who are willing to lease their available units to individuals and families who are connected to our partner agencies in the city of Indianapolis and are experiencing homelessness. The Housing Acquisition team maintains Padmission Connect, an online housing search service designed to connect participating landlords with available units to partnering agencies providing case management for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The Housing Acquisition Team is responsible for improving access to the web-based platform for landlords to list their available units for free and for case managers to easily and quickly search for available units.
Authorized under Section 8 of the Housing Act of 1937, this rental assistance program is administered by local public housing authorities and provides housing vouchers to eligible tenants. It is perhaps the most common housing assistance provided to very low-income households. In 1998, the Section 8 certificate and voucher programs were merged into the new Housing Choice Voucher Program.
The US federal agency responsible for protecting public health and providing essential human services through programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and public health initiatives
A point-in-time/single-night inventory of provider programs within the CoC
Federal law protecting sensitive patient information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge.
Local information technology system used to collect client-level data on the provision of housing and services to individuals and families experiencing, or at the risk of experiencing, homelessness. Learn more about our HMIS here.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines 4 categories of homelessness:
- Individuals and families who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and including a subset for an individual who resided in an emergency shelter or a place not meant for human habitation and who is exiting an institution where they temporarily resided.
- Individuals and families who will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence and have not identified a subsequent residence.
- Unaccompanied youth and young adults under 25 years old, and families with children and youth who are defined as homeless under other federal statutes who do not otherwise qualify as homeless under this definition.
- Individuals and families who are fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous life-threatening conditions that relate to violence against the individual or a family member.
A strategy that prevents homelessness by helping households at imminent risk of homelessness, but who are not yet without housing. Examples of homeless prevention are rental assistance, utility arrears, and landlord mediation to prevent an eviction.
Students are considered to be experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act if they are without a regular adequate residence, which includes students living in shelters, substandard housing, single room hotels, cars, parks, public places, or doubled up with friends or relatives because they have no other place to go and cannot afford a home.
The HomeNow Indy Initiative is a coordinated, system-wide approach connecting individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis with rental assistance and services that will help them find housing and stay housed long-term. HomeNow Indy is grounded in the belief that ending homelessness requires access to safe, affordable, and person-centered permanent housing choices.
Funding program that may be used for housing for persons living with HIV.
A short-term intervention where community members (“hosts”) provide housing in their homes for young people experiencing homelessness
An evidence-based approach to quickly and successfully connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness to permanent housing without preconditions and barriers to entry (e.g., sobriety, treatment, or service participation requirements). Housing First is NOT housing only. Supportive services are offered to maximize housing stability and prevent returns to homelessness as opposed to addressing predetermined treatment goals prior to permanent housing entry.
A bridge from a housing referral to permanent housing. The goal is to reduce the length of time between a housing referral and lease signing, and having more housing referrals result in successful housing placements.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development is a federal agency, established in 1965, the purpose of which is the implementation and administration of government housing and urban development programs.
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The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority works to “help communities build upon their assets to create places with ready access to opportunities, goods, and services, and promote, finance, and support a broad range of housing solutions, from temporary shelters to homeownership.” IHCDA also serves as the Collaborative Applicant for the Indiana Balance of State Continuum of Care.
IHA is the federally funded public housing authority for Indianapolis, IN. In this role, IHA oversees low-rent public housing for low-income families, seniors, and residents with disabilities, manages the Housing Choice Voucher program, and partners with state and local entities in housing development through the nonprofit arm. You can learn more at their website.
Financial gain proceeding from property, labor, or business. In figuring rent in subsidy programs, income includes but is not limited to: annual gross income including welfare assistance; unemployment and disability compensation, interest, dividends, and child support payments.
The input of basic client data into a database upon entry into a program (e.g., capturing and loading required data into the Homeless Management Information System upon entry to an emergency shelter.
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Justice-Involved
Refers to individuals who have had interactions with the criminal justice system (e.g., jails, prisons, or youth correctional facilities), including those currently incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, or involved in other legal processes.
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Social Services grant program that provides funding to low-income households for energy bills, including heating and cooling.
Tax incentive created in the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that is designed to attract equity capital for investment in rent-restricted affordable housing. The program aims to encourage the production of affordable housing by offering its owners tax credits for a ten (10) year period based on the cost of development and the number of low-income units produced.
The Learning Management System is how CHIP provides certain mandated training for new HMIS users, new Coordinated Entry assessors, and other trainings.
Letters of Intent are documents outlining the understanding between two are more parties, which they intend to formalize in a future, legally binding agreement.
The amount of time an individual or household is enrolled in a shelter or housing program.
Shelters that have removed most requirement/obstacles for entry into their program, so that households are more likely to get indoors and connect to services rather than sleep on the street. Examples of low-barrier programming include: unhoused residents are allowed to bring in their pets and possessions, partners are allowed to live together regardless of gender, and adult children are allowed to stay with their parents. In a low-barrier setting, individuals are not expected to abstain from alcohol or drug use, provided they do not use these substances in common areas of the shelter and are respectful of staff and other clients.
Income that does not exceed eighty percent (80%) of Area Median Income (AMI)
A federally mandated annual report that provides our CoC and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development with critical information about how people experiencing homelessness use their system.
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A federal law created to support the enrollment and education of students experiencing homelessness. McKinney-Vento is intended to provide these students the same educational opportunities as housed students by removing as many barriers to learning as possible.
Primary contact between families experiencing homelessness and school staff, district personnel, shelter workers, and other services providers. Every school district is required to designate a liaison.
State and federally funded health care for low-income adults, children, pregnant residents, elderly adults, and residents with disabilities.
The national health insurance program for residents age sixty-five (65) and older and for some persons under age sixty-five (65) with disabilities.
A type of development that serves households at various income levels, allowing or requiring affordable housing to be combined with market-rate housing through cross subsidies, thereby making the development of affordable units more financially feasible.
“The Mayor’s Leadership Council on Homelessness (MLCH) is an initiative aimed at uniting key leaders across the civic, philanthropic, corporate, and healthcare sectors to strengthen the city’s homeless response system. The council, which held its inaugural meeting on October 1, 2024, will serve as a critical partner in advancing the city’s long-term strategy to combat homelessness, including efforts to address racial disparities among those who are experiencing homelessness.” – Learn more here.
A type of agreement between two or more parties that expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. They are often used in cases where parties do not imply a legal commitment, or in situations where parties cannot create a legally enforceable agreement.
A geographical region in the US with a relatively high population density at its core, and close economic ties throughout the region. Many federal programs and funding streams consider data at the MSA level.
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A shelter model where each individual or household has living space that offers some level of privacy, such as hotels, motels, or dormitories. This model became critical in providing safer shelter environments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A notice provided by funders to announce a competitive funding process is open and receiving applications. Continuums of Care (CoCs) typically use “NOFO” to refer to funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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An approach focused on engaging people experiencing unsheltered homelessness and connecting them with emergency shelter options, critical services, and permanent housing. Outreach may provide urgent, non-facility-based care to unsheltered people who are unwilling or unable to access emergency shelter, housing, or an appropriate health facility.
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Federal grant program providing assistance to individuals who are experiencing or at the risk of experiencing homelessness and have serious mental illnesses.
A public agency created to finance or operate low-income housing
A federally mandated, single-night census of sheltered and unsheltered residents experiencing homelessness. PIT Counts occur within the last 10 days of January, are required for any community receiving federal Continuum of Care funding, and are logistically managed at the local level.
An intervention that combines affordable housing assistance with support services to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness. PSH is designed to connect residents with community-based health care, treatment, and/or employment services. PSH is reserved for households where at least one member has a disability (i.e., a mental health condition, physical disability, developmental disability, chronic health condition, and/or a substance use disorder) AND is experiencing chronic homelessness. Essentially, this is funding reserved for households where an individual could not reasonably be expected to achieve housing stability without additional support.
It is important to note that eligibility for these projects under the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care (CoC) program also requires meeting any additional eligibility criteria set forth in the Fiscal Year (FY) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under which the project was funded.
Within Continuums of Care, homelessness prevention refers to a strategy that prevents homelessness by helping households at imminent risk of homelessness, but who are not yet without housing. Examples of homeless prevention are rental assistance, utility arrears, and landlord mediation to prevent an eviction.
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In homeless and housing programs, “recidivism” refers to a return to homelessness after moving into a permanent housing unit. Typically documented in HMIS, returns to homelessness are often analyzed at 6, 12, and 24 months after moving into a unit.
A document that solicits a proposal, often made through a bidding process, by an agency or company interested in procurement of a commodity, service, or valuable asset, to potential suppliers to submit business proposals
Grants that provide foundational support to address youth and young adult homelessness
A permanent housing intervention that provides housing relocation and stabilization services and short- and/or medium-term rental assistance as necessary to help an individual or family move as quickly as possible into permanent housing and achieve stability in that housing. Rapid rehousing couples time-limited rental assistance, housing search and placement support, and supportive services (case management, housing stability planning) to households with lower service needs who can maintain or sustain housing on their own after rental assistance ends.
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Sage is an HMIS Reporting Repository, used by recipients of HUD Continuum of Care or Emergency Services Grants, to upload required reports (e.g., the Annual Performance Report)
Supportive housing that serves hard-to-reach individuals experiencing homelessness with a severe mental illness who have been unwilling to participate in supportive services with 24-hour services, limited to 25 people or fewer, and provides low-demand services and referrals.
A federal US program that provides food purchasing assistance to low- and no-income households to help them maintain adequate nutrition. It is administered by the US Department of Agriculture.
Evidence-based model/training to assist and expedite residents in securing social security benefits and income
Indy’s Street Outreach Animal Rescue Initiative assists vulnerable individuals who may need support with access to healthcare for themselves or their pets through crisis or transition. Learn more here.
Street Reach Indy (SRI) is a crucial flexible fund managed by CHIP Indy, designed to assist service providers across Marion County with breaking down barriers that prevent their clients from securing safe and permanent housing. This unique fund, the only one of its kind in our community, is accessible to any service provider and addresses urgent needs such as obtaining vital documents, paying housing application fees, covering transportation for family reunification, moving costs, furniture needs, substance abuse treatment, and first month’s rent.
A payroll tax-funded federal insurance program of the US government. It is managed by the Social Security Administration and is designed to provide monthly benefits to people who have a medically determinable disability (physical or mental) that restricts their ability to be employed. SSDI does not provide partial or temporary benefits, but rather pays only full benefits and only pays benefits in cases in which the disability is expected to last at least one year or result in death.
SSI is a means-tested federal program that provides cash payments to disabled children, disabled adults, and individuals aged 65 or older who are citizens or nationals of the United States.
The identification number assigned to residents under the Social Security program.
An intervention that offers stand-alone supportive services without a housing resource or rental subsidy to address the special needs of participants (such as childcare, employment assistance, and transportation services) and is focused on stabilizing housing.
VA contract funding for homeless veterans and their families. Resources include prevention funding, rapid-resolution funding, and rental assistance similar to Rapid Rehousing, as well as providing case management and supportive services for program participants.
STHI is a multi-year, 3-phase initiative to end chronic and unsheltered homelessness in Indianapolis. Phase 1 involves directly housing individuals from the streets. You can learn more at https://www.chipindy.org/streetstohomeindy
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A federal assistance program that provides cash assistance to families through the US Department of Health and Human Services
Rental subsidies that are portable and held by the tenant instead of the unit. A rental subsidy that helps make up the difference between what a renter can afford to pay and the actual rent for the home.
Transitional housing provides temporary housing with supportive services to individuals and/or families experiencing homelessness with the goal of successfully moving to and maintaining permanent housing. These projects can cover housing costs and accompanying supportive services for program participants for up to 24 months. Clients must have a signed lease, sublease, or occupancy agreement, which (a) has an initial term of at least one month, (b) is automatically renewable upon expiration, except by prior notice by either party, and (c) has a maximum term of 24 months.
In Indianapolis, the vast majority of our transitional housing beds are reserved for youth and young adults or veterans and veteran families.
TH:RRH are HUD funded programs that provide short term housign and supportive services to individual and families to quickly move them from homelessness into permanent housing. Below is a distinction between TH (Transitional Housing), RRH (Rapid Rehousing), and TH:RRH:
- TH (Transitional Housing): Temporary housing with supportive services to stabilize residents before moving to permanent housing.
- RRH (Rapid Re-Housing): Short-term rental assistance and services to quickly move people from homelessness into permanent housing.
- TH:RRH: A hybrid approach where people start in transitional housing but are rapidly transitioned into permanent housing with support.
An assessment that a program or caseworker conducts, as an entry point to resources, to determine the specific needs of an individual or family in crisis and direct them to appropriate resources
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Series of data elements in the Homeless Management Information System that are required to be entered for each client
Youth who are experiencing homelessness and are the only member of their household (i.e., they are not with parents, siblings, children, grandparents, or other individuals)
A person who, with the consent of a tenant, is staying in the unit, but is not listed on the lease documents or approved by the owner to dwell in the unit. An owner must follow state or local law regarding an unauthorized occupant and establish an equitable and consistent policy and incorporate that policy into the house rules.
Independent federal agency within the US executive branch that leads the implementation of the federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness
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Housing Choice vouchers administered by Public Housing Authorities for eligible veterans experiencing homelessness. Tenant selection and supportive services are provided by the VA.
VI-SPDAT is a pre-screening tool formerly used within the Coordinated Entry System to assess the health and social needs of households in the homeless response system and match them with the most appropriate and available support and housing interventions. Indianapolis has moved away from using the VI-SPDAT and is using a locally informed and developed prioritization tool.
Person who served in the active military, naval or air service and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. The definition is codified as 36 U.S.C. 101(2) and used by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Note: for most housing and homelessness related programming, “veteran” excludes individuals who were in the National Guard but were not deployed.
A term used to refer to a type of rental subsidy. Low-income households use vouchers to help pay for housing they find in the private market
An organization whose primary mission is to provide services to victims of domestic violence, data violence, sexual assault, or stalking
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A nutrition program nationally recognized as an effective means for improving access to notorious foods and promoting healthier eating and lifestyles. Learn more about WIC in Indiana here.
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Within the Continuum of Care, “youth” typically refers to individuals under the age of 18, and “young adult” refers to individuals age 18 – 24.
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While CHIP strives to keep these definitions up to date and accurate, programmatic changes (such as new initiatives or the closure of programs due to funding shifts) may affect terminology over time. Please note, some of these definitions are local to Indianapolis/Marion County, and may not apply to other homeless response systems.