Editor's Note: In respect of the privacy of the individuals participating in this project, all names have been changed.
Multiple definitions of homelessness may have some responsibility in creating a misunderstanding of the true scope of rural homelessness. Not all homeless can be defined as absolute, “a narrow concept that includes only those living on the street or in emergency shelters” (Echenberg & Jensen, 2008, ¶ 2). In addition, the homeless may be “hidden,” living “in a car, with family or friends, or in a long-term institution” (Echenberg & Jensen, ¶ 2); or “at-risk of homelessness,” those individuals and families who may face eviction because of an inability to pay rent. Recent research into the issue of affordable housing in Revelstoke (Zacharias 2005, 2006) does not focus specifically on homelessness, but does address a theme common in rural areas: that of “very little rental housing choice” (Bruce, 2006, p. 70). Zacharias (2005) identifies “lack of community awareness of housing issues” and “lack of information about homelessness” (p. 14) as two key reasons for a lack of affordable housing in the community. The need for more in-depth information on homelessness becomes apparent when exploring the definitions of homelessness given by participants, especially among those who do not have –or do not believe they have had-- firsthand experience with homeless individuals.
Lottie, a long-time Revelstoke resident, had the narrowest scope of understanding when it came to rural homelessness, defining a homeless person as “[o]ne that does not have a roof over her head so that snow can't touch her and rain can't touch her.” When questioned whether she thought homelessness could include someone staying at a friend or family member's house because they had nowhere else to go, Lottie replied that “I know there's [sic] a lot of people, but they're not homeless. They have a place to stay [….] I think probably you could say homeless for the night, and they‟re really freaked out I'm sure.”
Alex, the only homeless participant to give a definition of homelessness, also gave an absolute definition. “[A homeless person is] someone who doesn't have a roof over their head. Someone that's outside and not in a house,” he tells me. “It could be by choice, it could be because of circumstances.” Sherry, who has more experience with Revelstoke's transient population through her guesthouse business, also brought up the topic of choice, representing a homeless individual as being:
"Somebody who is living below the poverty line, often with a mental illness or an alcohol and drug problem, sometimes who chooses not to have a home, and someone who doesn‟t have any choices about whether or not to have a home."
Michelle, also a local business owner, was more conservative, communicating her definition of homeless as a narrative between her and a local homeless woman with whom she had developed a relationship.
"I would say it's a person who has no home. But, I actually asked this to [a homeless woman] and I said “What's it like to be homeless?” She said, “I‟m not sure.” I said, “Well, what do you mean?” She said, “British Columbia is my home.” So, it all depends on what the person's perception of home is."
The three participants (Karen, Mike, and Greg) who identified as social service providers communicated the broadest definitions of homelessness. Karen describes homelessness as the condition wherein “somebody that does not have a place that is theirs; if they're living with somebody temporarily, that is not a home. They are still homeless because that can change in the morning, which would ultimately make them homeless.” Safety and security were thematic in the definitions given by Mike and Greg. Greg describes homelessness as “people without a conventional home.” He goes further, saying that “a home implies some degree of safety and security and comfort, so I would say [a homeless person is] someone who cannot count on being able to occupy their home a few days from now.” Mike gives a similar definition, noting someone is homeless if they do not have a “place that feels safe and secure and a space that's theirs that they can say 'I have a spot to put my stuff'.” City employees Rick and John both make reference to the homeless not having a “permanent residence.” Rick defines homelessness as being a situation where “someone has no permanent domicile,” while John references “individuals who on an ongoing basis do not have any permanent residence.”
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