ABSTRACT
The importance of defining homelessness should not be underestimated. In this chapter, particular emphasis is placed on the definition of ‘homelessness’. Homelessness is an emotive word that conjures up in people’s minds pictures of the tramp walking the street, smelly, dirty and hungry, or the alcoholic, obnoxious, loud and drunk. To view all homeless people in terms of these two stereotypes is to do many an injustice. It can also act as an obstacle to tackling a serious problem.
