What is Homeless?

Homeless means you lack a safe, permanent place to live. It’s a situation that affects people from all walks of life, including families with children, the elderly and those living in rural areas. There are many causes of homelessness, such as job loss, domestic violence and mental health challenges. Those without homes also face barriers to getting and keeping jobs, accessing education and maintaining healthy lifestyles. The problem has become so severe that it’s been called a national emergency by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In the United States, the definition of homeless comes from a law called the McKinney-Vento Act. It defines a homeless person as someone who lacks a “fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.” This definition includes those who are living in places that are not fit for human habitation, such as on the street or in a motel, but it also includes those staying in shelters, transitional housing and other facilities.

The vast majority of people who are homeless are individuals without a permanent dwelling. However, some groups are particularly at risk, including children, women, people with disabilities and those experiencing chronic homelessness. People in this category have been in a continuous state of homelessness for at least one year, and typically have multiple barriers to employment. Those with a disabling condition are especially susceptible to chronic homelessness, which can have lasting effects on their health and wellbeing.

A large body of research exists on the causes and characteristics of homelessness, with a particular focus on subpopulations such as incarcerated persons, those with serious mental illness and aging populations. Research shows that a combination of factors can lead to a loss of housing, and that if not addressed quickly, this can escalate into a much longer and more complex cycle of poverty and inadequate housing.

For example, those who are experiencing the effects of intimate partner violence are more likely to experience a rapid deterioration in their housing situations and are at increased risk of chronic homelessness. In fact, it’s estimated that about half of all cisgender women and 1 in 4 cisgender men who need emergency housing services have experienced intimate partner violence at some point in their lives.

There are a number of ways to prevent and end homelessness, and we all have a role to play. We can start by raising awareness, donating and volunteering to support local organizations that are working to keep people in their homes. We can also work together to ensure that public funds are spent on helping the homeless find and maintain a safe place to call home. That way, we can fulfill the universal obligation in Article 2(1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to provide all people with affordable, accessible and decent housing. This includes addressing the root causes of homelessness, and making sure that all have an opportunity to achieve their full potential.