( HUD ) defines a `` chronically homeless '' person as `` an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition '' . Also , HUD reported the number of chronically homeless people ( those with repeated episodes or who have been homeless for long periods , 2007 data ) as 123,833 . 82 % of the homeless are not chronically homeless , and 18 % are ( 6 % Chronically Homeless Sheltered , 12 % Chronically Homeless Unsheltered ) .