The word ‘homeless’ is undergoing something of a redefinition, replaced by the word ‘unhoused’ by some people. Is the intent to assist those people who are safely housed to come to grips with the tragedy of others?
Or is it a concern that people who are homeless may be offended by the cozy word, ‘home,’ which sums up what they happen to be missing at this particular moment in their lives?
Whatever the intent, some reports suggest that the unhoused are perfectly comfortable with the term ‘homeless,’ and are inclined to refer to themselves in that old-fashioned way1.
The following article hails from the Centre for Urban Transformation, which is part of the World Economic Forum. It begins with news from London England, where an exhibition has opened to improve the UK’s ‘understanding of homelessness and inspire optimism that it can be ended2.’ One of the pieces in the exhibition is the car that was home to a stroke victim when he experienced several months of homelessness.
The article moves on to discuss how people experience homelessness around the world in many different forms and for many different reasons. It estimates that more than one in five people live in inadequate housing and provides figures for different countries.
Further, it provides news of a World Economic Forum publication: Reshaping Affordability: Interventions for Inclusive and Liveable Cities, which brings together ideas on how to make cities affordable through land use regulation, sustainable communities and inclusive design. Read more in the World Economic Forum: Homelessness: What drives it and what’s needed to end it?
Footnotes
- Try: ‘Homeless’ . . . Bad? ‘Unhoused’ . . . Good? What’s In A Name? More Than You Might Think
- For readers who are royal watchers, Prince William is on board with this exhibition. For more on his work to end homelessness in the UK, try: A Royal Intervention To End Homelessness In The UK
