M1
Slide 7
CONTENT
8-9 MIN
ETHOS Light
Typology and its European Relevance
+ Other Definitions of Homelessness
Homelessness is not a universally fixed category. Its meaning depends on legal systems, cultural expectations, and policy frameworks. What one country recognises as homelessness, another may classify as housing vulnerability or social disadvantage. This definitional diversity directly affects visibility, data collection, eligibility for services, and the design of interventions.
To address fragmentation in Europe, the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) developed the European Typology of Homelessness and Housing Exclusion (ETHOS). ETHOS provides a shared conceptual framework for understanding homelessness across different national contexts.
ETHOS is based on the idea that a “home” consists of THREE ESSENTIAL DOMAINS:
Physical
An adequate dwelling that meets basic needs for shelter and safety.
Legal
Secure tenure — a legal right to occupy the space.
Social
Privacy and safety — the capacity to exercise social relations within the dwelling.
When one or more of these domains is missing, housing exclusion occurs.
The Four Conceptual Categories of ETHOS
1.ROOFLESSNESS
Living in public spaces without shelter
2.HOUSELESSNESS
Staying in temporary accommodation such as shelters or institutions
3.INSECURE HOUSING
Living under threat of eviction, domestic violence, or legal instability
4.INADEQUATE HOUSING
Living in unfit, overcrowded, or substandard conditions
This framework expands the understanding of homelessness beyond visible street situations and acknowledges less visible but equally unstable housing conditions.