It is called `` chronic homelessness '' . ( HUD ) defines a `` chronically homeless '' person as `` an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition '' . ( HUD ) defines a `` chronically homeless '' person as `` an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more , or has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years . ''