This paper examines definitions of homelessness and the reasons for homelessness. Homelessness had different definitions to different people as well as definitions recognized by various government entities. While the reasons for homelessness vary, many homeless people can be classified into basic categories. 

Because of the constantly changing lifestyles, definitions of homelessness vary. A standard definition of homelessness is any person that lacks a regular nighttime place to sleep. This includes people using transitional housing, including homeless shelters.

Another part of this definition are people that sleep regularly in substandard housing or in a shelter not designed or suited for human habitation. A person living in a small camper in the woods that lacks running water, electricity, and toilet facilities fit into this category. The person might live in a camper like this for years and will not consider themselves homeless. They are considered homeless because the dwelling lacks basic requirements for human habitation.

To define homelessness further there are basic classifications of the types of homelessness. There are three widely recognized classifications along with a fourth that some agencies list. Chronic, episodic, transitional, and hidden ("LibGuides: The Law and Homelessness: Definition").

The first category is chronic homelessness. This is a person that is homeless for years. The person may find temporary shelter, but it is always that, temporary.

The second category is episodic. These people are in and out of homelessness. These people may have a home for months on end but will return to homelessness.

The third is transitional homelessness. These people have changes in their lives that leave them homeless for a short period of time. Often these people find shelter and may only be homeless for one brief period in their lives.

The fourth is hidden homelessness. These are people that might be sleeping on a couch, a tent in the woods, or similar shelter. They go about their lives and are not visibly homeless to most people.

The reasons for homelessness vary. One of the newer recognized reasons for homelessness is the overregulation of housing ("State of Homelessness in America"). This is at the basis of many people being homeless even though the person has a full-time job. Regulations requiring numerous studies and surveys, are cost prohibitive in the construction of suitable housing. Stipulating large size homes adds to these costs. These larger sizes mandated by cities inflates tax revenues for the city by requiring more expensive homes be built.

Mental illness is another major factor contributing to homelessness. Mental illness usually leads to unemployment which invariably leads to homelessness.

Drug and alcohol abuse are also major contributors to homelessness. While there are functioning alcoholics and drug addicts many are unable to cope with the requirements necessary to maintain steady employment.

Domestic violence is at the top of the list why women become homeless. Women leaving their homes because of domestic violence often have few resources and often end up in homeless shelters.

Defining homelessness is difficult because of the different living situations people may choose. While there are people that do not define themselves as homeless, they can be defined as homeless due to the poor living conditions people may tolerate. The reasons for homelessness are innumerable, however almost all homeless people at one time had a home for years. Illness, drug dependency, unemployment, disabilities or victims of domestic abuse are usually present with the homeless.

"LibGuides: The Law and Homelessness: Definition." Home - LibGuides at William S. Richardson School of Law, May 1138, law-hawaii.libguides.com/c.php?g=421172&p=2875672.

"The State of Homelessness in America." The White House, The Council of Economic Advisers, Sept. 2019, www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/The-State-of-Homelessness-in-America.pdf. Accessed 15 Mar. 2020.