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
• awaiting foster care placement (prior to court hearing)