No_fixed_address
No fixed abode
Not having a fixed geographical location as a residence
In law, no fixed abode or without fixed abode is not having a fixed geographical location as a residence, commonly referred to as no fixed address. This is applicable to several groups:
- People who have a home, but which is not always in the same place:
- Those whose occupation requires them to live permanently on boats, ships or movable oil platforms, or to travel constantly (as showmen, for example).
- Nomadic peoples (e.g. Indigenous Norwegian Travellers and Romanichal) and traveller groups (e.g. Irish Travellers, Scottish Gypsy and Traveller groups, New Age travellers, Norwegian and Swedish Travellers); as well as individuals who adopt a mobile lifestyle, living in narrowboats, recreational vehicles or the like.
- People with multiple residences who frequently move around these addresses.
- Persons who temporarily live with people such as friends and family.
- People considered to be homeless. The term "of no fixed abode" or "no fixed address" is frequently used as a description by the police and a euphemism by the media for somebody who is without a home.
- People may be homeless because of some natural disaster or conflict, which may have destroyed their home. Refugees fleeing a war zone are also regarded as homeless.
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A person with no fixed address may have mail addressed to a Poste restante service. Such persons may also have problems receiving government social services and registering to vote, and may be deprived of many common services.