In the context of the National Homelessness Initiative, homelessness is considered to be any person, family or household that has no fixed address or security of housing tenure.

In Canada, homelessness has a thousand faces. The reasons people are homeless in our country are many and varied. Many of the homeless have become disconnected from their families and communities. There are also those who have not been able to find or keep jobs. Sometimes, ongoing changes in the labour market make it difficult to maintain sufficient incomes for rent payments.

A broad base of understanding is required to create and build programs and services that will work towards providing support for each and every person who faces homelessness.

Homelessness can affect people of any age, gender or ethnic background. It does not discriminate.

• Reviewing the Numbers
• Understanding the Needs

To find out more about the face of homelessness in Canada, view what communities are finding as described in Community Plans, or view the project descriptions to discover some of the work underway to help.