Homelessness is a complex social problem. The most fundamental need of people experiencing homelessness is appropriate long-term housing. However, alongside the need for housing (and possibly a cause of that need) many people experiencing homelessness have health, mental health, addiction or other support needs that must be addressed in order for them to be able to maintain long-term housing. These support needs may require intensive short-term assistance or they may require long-term support at the same time as long-term housing.  Transitional Housing provides long term support – up to two years while individuals address the causes of their homelessness.

The causes of homelessness and the reasons why people remain homeless or continually return to homelessness are reasonably well understood. It is important to acknowledge that poverty –usually characterized by a lack of money or a limited income as well as standards of living well below the average – is a central and over-riding factor, which becomes sufficient to cause homelessness when it is triggered by relationship breakdowns, drug or alcohol dependency or other crisis events.