Definitions

The most commonly accepted definition of homelessness is Mackenzie and Chamberlain's definition which includes three categories in recognition of the diversity of homelessness.

Primary homelessness is experienced by people without conventional accommodation (e.g. sleeping rough or in improvised dwellings).

Secondary homelessness  is experienced by people who frequently move from one temporary shelter to another (e.g. emergency accommodation, youth refuges, "couchsurfing").

Tertiary homelessness  is experienced by people staying in accommodation that falls below minimum community standards (e.g. boarding housing and caravan parks). This definition was adopted by the Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Homelessness in 2001 and is widely used in our sector.

The definition is based on the premise that concepts of homelessness and housing are culturally bound, and that in order to define homelessness it is necessary to identify shared community standards about minimum housing.

Please see these links for further information:

Reach Out

Homeless Directory

Australian Human Rights Commission

Updated: Jan 09