Living on the Street and Chronic Homelessness

The term “living on the street” refers to individuals or families who, because of a lack of secured housing, live outdoors. The term "chronic homelessness" refers to those individuals or families who, because of a lack of secured housing, live predominantly on the street over a long period of time). These individuals or families might access some services from time to time, but will use available sheltering facilities only in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a very cold night). Many individuals chronically living on the street have challenges forming long-term connections to services because of disfunctional or unstable personal lives, or unsuccessful histories with the “system.”

At-Risk or Unstably Housed

The term “at risk” refers to individuals or families who are at imminent risk of eviction
from their current housing, who pay too high a percentage of their income for housing,
or who live in unacceptable housing. An individual is also considered at risk for if they
will be discharged from the criminal justice system, a health facility where they have stayed for an extended period of time, or the child welfare system without suitable housing in place prior to their discharge.


The Hidden Homeless

This term refers to individuals or families living in locations not intended for human
habitation (e.g. abandoned buildings) and/or continuously moving among temporary
housing arrangements provided by strangers, friends or family.


The Sheltered Homeless

The term refers to individuals or families who stay temporarily in emergency and/or
transitional housing. Some individuals or families may be one- or two-time users (crisis
sheltered). Others (episodically sheltered) may access shelters multiple times through
the year, seeking assistance, but are not able to form the longterm connections necessary to move to stable housing (this inability could be the result insufficient resources, personal health issues, or a varety of other factors.)


Continuum of Housing and Supports

The “continuum of housing and supports” is a holistic approach to addressing the
needs of the homeless and at-risk populations, from prevention through to supportive
housing, and includes all the supports and services required by a
homeless person, or someone at risk of becoming homeless, to achieve housing and
income stability.


Emergency Shelter

Housing facilities providing temporary and short-term beds or mats (for a few days or
up to three weeks) to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness; a shelter may include supports such as food, clothing and counselling. Typically these facilities
provide single or shared bedrooms or dorm-type sleeping arrangements that can
include seasonal beds/mats. May also include motels and other types of temporary
sheltering facilities.


Transitional Housing

Housing facilities which provide services beyond basic needs and which, while not
permanent, generally allow for a longer length of stay than emergency housing
facilities (up to three years). These facilities offer more privacy to residents than
emergency housing, and place greater emphasis on participation. They are targeted at those in need of structure, support, and/or skill-building to move from homelessness
to housing stability, and ultimately to prevent a return to homelessness.


Supportive Housing

Housing for individuals and families that includes supports and services integrated
into the housing, and which has no length-of-stay restriction. Services vary according to clients’ needs, and help residents maintain independence, stability, and social inclusion.


Affordable Housing

Affordable housing includes public housing or other housing which has been built
under a government affordable housing program, non-profit housing, co-op housing
and rent supplement units in the private rental sector. Co-op housing is membership owned
affordable housing, with specific admittance requirements and regulations
legislated at the federal or provincial level. A rent supplement is a subsidy that enables
a low income renter to live in acceptable housing owned by private landlords, or nonprofit
or co-operative housing groups.

Source: Homelessness Partnering Strategy Community Plan 2007-2009 Reference Guide