To quote the definition made by the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, it is when a person, family, or group of people do not have a stable and permanent residence as well as no means of acquiring one.

This adapted definition of homelessness provides a unified horizon in understanding the complexity of the problem. It is also meant to expand the set of responses to be made to address the problem of homelessness in Canada.

Although the experience of homelessness has put all homeless people in a similar unfortunate situation, it must not be noted however that the extent and weight of its effects vary to different groups of homeless people.

The problem of homelessness is not merely a lack of housing facility because homeless people experience homelessness at the most personal level.

And so, a strategy that will generalize their experiences as one and the same is plain inadequate.