JOSEPH AND MARY WERE NOT HOMELESS

This time of year, it becomes popular for some to use the birth of Christ as an example of what it's like to be poor and homeless.  They point to this story when they need an example to bolster some argument over homeless people, whether they be poor and on the street, or immigrants, legal or otherwise, but is this accurate?
In A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, when Charlie Brown asks Linus what the meaning of Christmas is, Linus gets up on stage and recites the first 14 verses of the second chapter of Luke, from the King James Version.  For our purposes here, we will only read the first 7:

AND it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

We read in verse 4 that Joseph was from Nazareth; so that's where his home was.  But in order to pay his taxes, he had to leave his home, and travel to the city of his birth. After they had arrived and spent some time there, "while they were there" (vs. 6), the time for Jesus' birth had arrived. Joseph obviously sought shelter for the birth but, since "there was no room for them in the inn" (vs. 7), they had to make do with what was available.  This did not make them homeless (they were away from home), it meant that they were without shelter at this time.  Joseph had money for a room, but none was available, as it was first come, first served, and you couldn't exactly call ahead and make reservations.

It's the same if you travel, and either stop for the night somewhere unknown in advance, or arrive at your destination, and something comes up, and you need a room for the night, but all the local hotels are full.  This doesn't make you homeless; you're just without a place to stay that night while you're away from home. Such was the case here.