Una persona sin hogar, indigente, sin techo o sintecho (o, en términos que se consideran menos discriminadores y más políticamente correctos, persona sin techo persona en situación de calle, persona sin domicilio fijo persona sin domicilio bien establecido persona sin domicilio permanente) es aquella persona, menor o adulto y de cualquiera de ambos sexos, que carece de un lugar permanente para residir y se ve obligada a vivir a la intemperie, ya sea en la calle, en los portales de viviendas o temporalmente en albergues, a causa de una ruptura encadenada, brusca y traumática de sus lazos familiares, sociales y laborales. Este problema es más acentuado en las grandes ciudades y suburbios, siendo menos visible en los pueblos o en el campo. El miedo a revivir situaciones traumáticas suele provocar en esta persona rechazo (de distintos grados, según los casos) a volver a intentar llevar una vida laboral y a rehacer relaciones familiares y sociales. También la extrema indigencia a la que le conduce esta situación es un obstáculo para ello. Persona sin hogar es el nivel máximo de exclusión social y marginación que realiza una sociedad moderna. En los países occidentales, la amplia mayoría de las personas en situación de calle son varones (75–80%), los varones solteros estando particularmente afectados.

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Homelessness is the condition of people without a permanent dwelling, such as a house or apartment. People who are homeless are most often unable to acquire and maintain regular, safe, secure and adequate housing. The legal definition of homeless varies from country to country, or among different jurisdictions in the same country or region. The term homeless may also include people whose primary night-time residence is in a homeless shelter, a warming center, a domestic violence shelter, long-term residence in a motel, a vehicle (including recreational vehicles and campers), squatting, cardboard boxes, a tent city, tarpaulins, shanty town structures made of discarded building materials or other ad hoc housing situations. According to the UK homelessness charity Crisis, a home is not just a physical space: it also provides roots, identity, security, a sense of belonging and a place of emotional wellbeing. American government homeless enumeration studies also include people who sleep in a public or private place not designed for use as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. There are a number of organizations who provide help for the homeless. In 2005, an estimated 100 million (1 in 65) people worldwide were homeless, and as many as 1 billion people live as squatters, refugees or in temporary shelter, all lacking adequate housing. In Western countries, the large majority of homeless are men (75–80%), with single males particularly overrepresented. Most countries provide a variety of services to assist homeless people. These services often provide food, shelter (beds) and clothing and may be organized and run by community organizations (often with the help of volunteers) or by government departments or agencies. These programs may be supported by the government, charities, churches and individual donors. Many cities also have street newspapers, which are publications designed to provide employment opportunity to homeless people. While some homeless have jobs, some must seek other methods to make a living. Begging or panhandling is one option, but is becoming increasingly illegal in many cities. People who are homeless may have additional conditions, such as physical or mental health issues or substance addiction; these issues make resolving homelessness a challenging policy issue.

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