Does "Doubling Up" Mean "Homeless"?

It's becoming increasingly common for adults to "double" up with other households, indicating that the recession is still affecting families. But are they officially homeless? It depends on who you ask, of course. Emily Badger reports.

1 minute read

November 24, 2011, 5:00 AM PST

By Judy Chang

"'In a lot of ways, those people are maybe more vulnerable than folks who've just had an eviction notice,' says Molly Scott, a research associate with the Urban Institute, 'because a lot of them have already had an eviction notice.'

Homeless advocacy groups have lobbied for the Department of Housing and Urban Development to expand its definition of homelessness to consider such families (and particularly their children) when applying homeless prevention and assistance funds.

Last week, however, HUD released a final ruling clarifying its definition of homelessness. The new rule includes families and individuals who don't have a 'fixed, regular and adequate' place to sleep, and those who've been staying in an emergency shelter or some 'place not meant for human habitation.'"

FULL STORY: How Do You Define Who's Homeless in a Recession?

Wednesday, November 23, 2011 in The Atlantic Cities

Government / Politics Housing Social / Demographics United States Homelessness

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