text: Under the U.S. Department of Education’s definition, children, youth, and families who have lost their homes and are staying temporarily with others or in motels are considered homeless. These children are often referred to as the “hidden homeless” because they are not as visible as adults living on the streets, but they are just as vulnerable and in just as much need of services.
  HUD’s definition of homelessness largely ignores children and focuses primarily on single adults living on the streets and in shelters. In order to be considered homeless by HUD, a youth or family temporarily staying in a motel or with others can only stay there for only fourteen days and must be able to prove the temporary nature of their stay in writing.
  The Homeless Children and Youth Act (H.R. 32), which is currently pending before the U.S. Congress, can close this gap by aligning HUD’s definition of homelessness with that of the Department of Education. Under the legislation, children, youth, and families could be verified as homeless by four different programs: Head Start; Education for Homeless Children and Youth program administered by public schools; Runaway and Homeless Youth Act program; and early intervention programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.