4 ms·

If you are living with a friend but aren't part of the lease and can, theoretically, be kicked out at any time you are homeless. The key factor being uncertain

• logfromblammo 9y ago
  For most people, "home", "residence", "address", and "domicile" all mean the same thing. But when you stray into multiple residency or homelessness, those definitions drift apart. Different definitions of homelessness may focus on different words that are not strictly synonymous, which makes those definitions also drift apart. In a strict technical sense, you can't be without a domicile, but it may be difficult to do things like vote or pay taxes or get licenses for your domicile when you are outside it and without at least a semi-permanent mailing address. But you can be without a permanent residence, even if you have been sleeping in the same spot for a while. That occurs whenever you don't have the legal right to be there. If your name (or your custodial parent's name or legal guardian's name) is not on the lease, that address is not your permanent residence, even if it is a long-term roof over your head. But then some people define homeless as having no literal building in which to shelter. Living in a tent or vehicle on property that you own may meet this definition, yet still qualify as having a residence. Some definitions go so far as to measure one's intent for sleeping that night. If you have no idea whatsoever where you will lay your weary head tonight when exhaustion takes you, you are so thoroughly homeless that you might as well be referred to as "homeleast". That's why these surveys have to ask so many questions--to identify those with shelter situations of most and least concern.