Homelessness does not only mean people sleeping on the streets or without a roof over their heads. People who are homeless may be living in temporary accommodation, staying with friends or even, in some circumstances, living in their own home. Because the legal definition says that accommodation should be ‘reasonable’, people may be considered as homeless if their accommodation is not reasonably habitable, or if they have special needs that their accommodation does not meet.
Although some believe that homelessness is primarily caused by personal or individual failings, homelessness can happen to anyone. Homelessness is more than just a housing issue and can occur as a result of poor health, unemployment or poverty.
For further information
- Homeless Strategy for Northern Ireland 2017-2022 (Housing Executive) Homelessness strategy for Northern Ireland 2017-2022
- A Strategy to Promote the Social Inclusion of Homeless People, and those at risk of becoming homeless in Northern Ireland (2007) A Strategy to Promote the Social Inclusion of Homeless People and those at risk of becoming homeless in Northern Ireland
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