A common theme in the life of the slydells is homelessness. According to Wikipedia, homelessness is defined as the condition of lacking stable, safe, and functional housing. It can include simply living on the streets or in cars or living in temporary accommodation (E.G a homeless shelter or a motel). Apparently, the slydells have been suffering homelessness at least since Tophia’s childhood and at some point in her early childhood, Tophia lived in homeless shelter.