in 2012, the chrn/coh released the canadian definition of homelessness to create a common understanding when it comes to measuring homelessness in canada, and identifying goals, interventions and strategies to address homelessness effectively. the chrn’s definition of homelessness, which is closely based on the european typology of homelessness and housing exclusion (ethos) definition, groups the homeless population into four categories: "unsheltered", "emergency sheltered", "provisionally accommodated" and "at risk of homelessness."