Homelessness: a proposal for a global definition and classification

On the base of an analysis of the definitions of homelessness currently in use, first a change of the notion "homelessness" to "houselessness" is prop osed. Houseless persons are then defined as those sleeping rough or using p ublic or private shelters. To better understand the causes of houselessness , its environment is involved in this classification under the notion of in adequate shelter. This comprises the following non-exclusive categories: ri sk of houselessness, concealed houselessness and substandard housing situat ions. This classification has the advantage to be adaptable to regional and national differences, while at the same time providing a global basis for data collection and comparison. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.