What is Homelessness?
No one chooses to be homeless.
People from many different walks of life can end up without a home to call their own, often as a result of things outside their control, like family and domestic violence, systemic failure, trauma, unemployment, illness or a relationship breakdown.
Homelessness is a lack of safe, secure accommodation – a home.
Homelessness can be hidden (couch surfing or living in overcrowded unsafe places) or visible (rough sleeping or street homelessness). It can be short or long term.
The absence of a home is more than a roof over your head. It’s a lack of a safe, secure and suitable place where you can rest in safety, recover and rebuild. It is incredibly hard to be an active participant in society and find the help needed without a fixed address.
Importantly, housing is a human right and should be viewed as such, not something that needs to be earned.