Homelessness
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
Revision as of 15:58, 8 September 2013 Jahsonic (Talk | contribs) ← Previous diff |
Revision as of 15:59, 8 September 2013 Jahsonic (Talk | contribs) Next diff → |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Template}} | {{Template}} | ||
- | :''[[Diogenes of Sinope]] lived in a barrel'' | + | :''[[Diogenes of Sinope]] lived in a barrel as a statement of [[simple living]]'' |
'''Homelessness''' describes the condition of people without a regular [[dwelling]]. People who are homeless are most often unable to acquire and maintain regular, safe, secure, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country to country, or among different entities or institutions in the same country or region. The term ''homeless'' may also include people whose primary night-time residence is in a [[homeless shelter]], a [[warming center]], a [[domestic violence]] shelter, [[cardboard boxes]] or other ''ad hoc'' housing situations. American Government homeless enumeration studies also include persons who sleep in a public or private place not designed for use as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. | '''Homelessness''' describes the condition of people without a regular [[dwelling]]. People who are homeless are most often unable to acquire and maintain regular, safe, secure, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country to country, or among different entities or institutions in the same country or region. The term ''homeless'' may also include people whose primary night-time residence is in a [[homeless shelter]], a [[warming center]], a [[domestic violence]] shelter, [[cardboard boxes]] or other ''ad hoc'' housing situations. American Government homeless enumeration studies also include persons who sleep in a public or private place not designed for use as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. | ||
Revision as of 15:59, 8 September 2013
Related e |
Featured: |
- Diogenes of Sinope lived in a barrel as a statement of simple living
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are most often unable to acquire and maintain regular, safe, secure, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country to country, or among different entities or institutions in the same country or region. The term homeless may also include people whose primary night-time residence is in a homeless shelter, a warming center, a domestic violence shelter, cardboard boxes or other ad hoc housing situations. American Government homeless enumeration studies also include persons who sleep in a public or private place not designed for use as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
An estimated 100 million people worldwide were homeless in 2005. Modern homelessness started as a result of economic stresses in society and reductions in the availability of affordable housing. In the United States, in the 1970s, the deinstitutionalisation of patients from state psychiatric hospitals was a precipitating factor in urban areas. By the mid-1980s, there was also a dramatic increase in family homelessness. Tied into this was an increasing number of impoverished and runaway children, teenagers, and young adults, which created more street children or street youth.
Most countries provide a variety of services to assist homeless people. They often provide food, shelter and clothing and may be organized and run by community organizations (often with the help of volunteers) or by government departments. These programs may be supported by government, charities, churches and individual donors. Many non-profit organizations such as Goodwill Industries maintain a mission to "provide skill development and work opportunities to people with barriers to employment". Many cities also have street newspapers, which are publications designed to provide employment opportunity to homeless people. While some homeless have jobs, some must seek other methods to make a living. Begging or panhandling is one option, but is becoming increasingly illegal in many cities.
See also
Other terms
- Undomiciled
- Beggar
- Derelict
- Drifter
- Bum
- Forgotten man
- Freight train hopper
- Hobo
- Internally displaced person
- Itinerant
- Nomad
- Schnorrer
- Street child
- Street people
- Tramp
- Vagabond
- Vagrant
- Waif
Socioeconomic issues
- Anti-homelessness legislation
- Right to housing
- FEANTSA, the European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless (French: Fédération Européenne d'Associations Nationales Travaillant avec les Sans-Abri)
- Post traumatic stress disorder experienced by homeless war veterans and sexual abuse victims.
- List of tent cities in the United States