Homelessness

Homelessness in general Shelter is the basic human requirement that needs to be met on priority basis. Housing is an important source of shelter, comfort and social status; as "home" performs basic protective and symbolic functions. Homelessness is defined as living in housing that is below the minimum standard or lacks secure tenure. People can be categorized as homeless if they are: living on the streets (primary homelessness); moving between temporary shelters, including houses of friends, family and emergency accommodation (secondary homelessness); living in private boarding houses without a private bathroom or security of tenure (tertiary homelessness). Homelessness is more than ‘rooflessness’. A home provides roots, identity, and a sense of belonging and a place of emotional well-being.   Homelessness is about the loss of all of these. The two main causes of homelessness is poverty and failure of the housing supply system. The other causes are domestic violence, t...