What is homelessness?

Homelessness is a complex social problem. The most primary need of people who are experiencing homelessness is appropriate long-term housing. In conjunction with the need for housing many people who are homeless have physical health, mental health, addiction or other support needs that must be addressed in order for them to be able to maintain long-term housing. People who are experiencing homelessness may require intensive short-term support or long-term support and assistance.

When examining the reasons and causes of homelessness, it is important to recognise that poverty – usually characterised by a lack of money or a limited income as well as standards of living well below the average is the central and over-riding cause of homelessness. This may also be triggered by the breakdown of a family or marital relationship, drug or alcohol dependency or another crisis event that may happen in a person’s life.

What is the legal definition of homelessness?

The Housing Act 1988 provided the first legal definition of homelessness in Ireland.

Section 2 of the Act states:

‘A person shall be regarded by a housing authority as being homeless for the purposes of this Act if:

a) there is no accommodation available which, in the opinion of the authority, he, together with any other person who normally resides with him or who might reasonably be expected to reside with him, can reasonably occupy or remain in occupation of, or

b) he is living in a hospital, county home, night shelter or other such institution, and is so living because he has no accommodation of the kind referred to in paragraph (a),
and he is, in the opinion of the authority, unable to provide accommodation from his own resources.’

What other legislation deals with homelessness?

The other main legislation that deals with homelessness in Ireland includes the Health Act 1953 and the Child Care Act 1991.In practice, what does the legal definition mean?

In practice, the legal definition translates into four types of homelessness.

The visibly homeless are people who are:

• living rough, or
• sleeping in designated emergency accommodation such as a hostel

The hidden homeless are people who are:

• staying with relatives or friends because there is no alternative accommodation for them, or
• remaining in institutional care because there is no affordable accommodation for them

People at risk of homelessness have housing but are likely to become homeless through:

• economic difficulties, or
• the threat of violence

People rough sleeping are:

• not in contact with emergency services, and
• not staying in emergency accommodation

 Are there other definitions of homelessness?

The European Observatory on Homelessness operating with FEANTSA (the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless) has a more detailed definition of homelessness.