Agencies fighting homelessness tend to focus on one of 4 types of homelessness. If you’re homeless, you need to understand these 4 categories so you can pick the type you need. Here are the four categories:

Emergency Housing. This is when you suddenly find you’re on the street without a place to stay. It is typically good for only two days or maybe up to 2 weeks.

Domestic Violence Emergency Housing. This is when you or you and your kids suddenly realize you’re in a physically abusive or dangerous environment and you have to get to a protected place NOW..

Transitional Housing. These are programs designed to get you back on your feet. They typically include a place to stay and a case manager to help you make a new plan for your life.  These are hard to get into because they’re the most desirable.  Remember that getting a case manager to help you is a huge plus that can make the difference between ending up back on the street or back on your feet.

Permanent Supportive Housing. These are programs for people who can not work or earn a living wage due to a physical, mental, or substance abuse disability. They are categorized as most vulnerable and would likely die on the street if left to fend for themselves.

Permanent Housing. These are programs that can find you a place to live permanently. But they require that you can demonstrate a steady income. 

NC211.org already has some additional definitions of housing that you might find helpful.. https://nc211.org/shelters/