Homelessness

Homelessness is the condition of lacking stable, safe, and adequate housing.

Because different countries have different rules, the definition of homelessness varies globally. Some nations have not yet established an official definition. In general, the condition involves a lack of permanent or secure living quarters. This issue is deeply connected to poverty and economic stability. Many people argue that housing should be treated as a fundamental human right.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter expressed this view in 2017. However, many people in the United States do not share this belief.

Experts categorize homelessness into different types to understand its complexity. Primary homelessness occurs when people live directly on the streets. Secondary homelessness describes people moving between temporary places. These places include emergency shelters, hotels, or the homes of friends and family. Some people sleep in locations not designed for human sleeping. This might include doorways, piers, or abandoned buildings.

Many people also engage in "squatting," which means occupying unoccupied or abandoned buildings. Others may live in natural areas like beaches, creek banks, or mountains.

Different organizations use specific frameworks to measure this issue. The United Nations defined a homeless household in 2004. They identified these as households lacking shelter due to a lack of steady income. In 2009, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe used a different approach. They helped create the ETHOS Typology of Homelessness and Housing Exclusion. This typology views homelessness as a process rather than a static state. It helps countries use a common language to track vulnerable households.

This system exists in 25 different language versions.

History shows how laws and social views have shifted over centuries. In 1383, English laws allowed constables to punish vagabonds. Penalties included jail, the stocks, or whipping. By 1547, a new bill introduced even harsher punishments like branding or death. Eventually, the state tried to provide housing and job training through bridewells. In the 1870s, a counterculture called "hobohemia" emerged in the United States. These men often lived near train tracks and traveled by hopping onto trains.

During this time, the first rescue missions, like the New York City Rescue Mission, were founded.

The 20th century brought major economic shifts that impacted housing. The Great Depression in the 1930s caused an epidemic of poverty in the United States. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the New Deal. This program expanded social welfare and funded public housing construction. In England, many people used dormitory housing called "spikes."

In the 1990s, an economic crisis and famine in North Korea forced many to flee. This created a group of orphaned children in China known as the Kotjebi.

Modern approaches focus on specific strategies to address these needs. In the United States, many cities adopted a "Housing First" solution. This program provides housing without requiring tests for drug usage or sobriety first. While some critics argue it misuses resources, research shows it helps people retain housing. In Scotland, the government implemented a ten-year plan to end homelessness. This plan involved regular meetings to check progress and legislative changes.

Many jurisdictions also use warming centers to save lives during cold weather.

Understanding the scale of this issue requires looking at global figures. In 2025, approximately 330 million people worldwide experience absolute homelessness. This means they lack any form of shelter entirely.

Because there is no standardized way to count people, most cities rely on estimates. Language also plays a role in how we discuss this topic. The Associated Press Stylebook now recommends person-first language. Reporters are encouraged to say "homeless people" instead of "the homeless." This helps avoid dehumanizing people by focusing on their situation rather than defining them by it.