This document discusses targeting services for homeless families with the highest needs. It notes that the homeless population is heterogeneous with multiple goals for providers that have limited resources. It questions how to identify families with the highest needs and what needs are related to homelessness. It proposes targeting services based on risk factors like very young mothers, children with disabilities, or involvement in child welfare. Research on patterns of shelter use identified categories like single or repeated short-term episodes that could inform targeting timeframes and intensities of services. The document advocates sorting families later to provide short-term transitional services initially before reassessing needs and stepping up assistance if required.