No fixed abode

People living and working on a boat may be "of no fixed abode", but are not homeless

In law, no fixed abode or without fixed abode is not having a fixed geographical location as a residence. 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 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. This may not be for obvious reasons; for example, their previous home may have been destroyed and physically not exist any longer.

Mail may be handled Poste restante.

Ships

Ships may have a mobile letter box, that can be placed on the dockside whilst a ship is moored in port or the crew are on shore leave, allowing the delivery of mail to those living on the ship—for as long as the vessel is in that port.

See also

• Hunter-gatherer
• Perpetual traveler
• RV lifestyle
• Showmen

References