In the US we usually call it unsheltered homelessness, as opposed to sheltered homelessness (living in an emergency shelter or program)
Comment on We must end rough sleeping but hostile architecture must go too
brave_lemmywinks@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Why is it called rough sleeping in the UK?
protist@retrofed.com 1 month ago
fakeman_pretendname@feddit.uk 1 month ago
To separate rough sleeping (sleeping outside) from homelessness (not having a home).
Someone who has no official address, but is sleeping on the floor in a friend’s house temporarily is homeless but not rough sleeping.
Someone who has a home and address, but isn’t able to go there for some reason (often escaping from domestic violence) may end up “sleeping rough” i.e. outside on a bench, in a tent or shop doorway.
Many other variations/examples obviously, and plenty of cases of both together.
Both situations need slightly different support.