Homelessness is the state of lacking stable, safe, and functional housing. It can include living on the streets, sleeping in doorways, or staying with friends or relatives.
Homelessness can be caused by social factors like poverty, unemployment, and a lack of affordable housing. People can also become homeless after leaving prison, care, or the army with no home to go to.
In the United States, there are four categories of homelessness:
Transitional homelessness
Episodic homelessness
Chronic homelessness
Hidden homelessness