Homelessness Vocabulary and Concepts

Flashcards covering key definitions, causes, risk factors, and social aspects of homelessness based on the lecture transcript.

Unsheltered

Situations in which a person lives in arrangements "not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation," such as abandoned buildings, train stations, cars, parks, campgrounds or outside.

Panhandling

Begging for money, food and other items.

Homelessness (Core Definition)

An individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, such as those living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or places not meant for habitation.

Unaccompanied youth and family housing instability criteria

Youth under 25 years of age or families who have not had a lease or ownership interest in a housing unit in the last 60 or more days, have had two or more moves in the last 60 days, and are likely to continue to be unstably housed.

Imminent loss of residence

An individual or family who will lose their primary nighttime residence within 14 days, with no subsequent housing identified and lacking support networks or resources to obtain housing.

Domestic violence homelessness category

An individual or family who is fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, has no other residence, and lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing.

Common causes of homelessness

Poverty, national economic situation, family problems (domestic violence, conflict with parents), substance misuse (addictions), mental disorder, relationship breakdown, and lack of availability of low-cost housing.

Risk factors of living on the street

Family relationship quality, school adjustment problems, being a victim of violence, and childhood trauma including sexual abuse, mental/physical neglect, and emotional trauma.

Causes of social isolation among the homeless

Weak social networks, stigma, mental illnesses and substance abuse, desire to hide homelessness, separation from family and friends, and lack of consistent internet access.

Ongoing Reintegration Projects

Partners in Health (Liberia), Urban Alchemy, and Entrepreneurs du Monde.

Vocabulary linked to homelessness (General List)

Homeless, houseless, unhoused, housing insecurity, to be unhoused, to sleep rough, emergency shelter, hidden homelessness, NIMBY vs. YIMBY, and outreach programmes.