[ratww]

> I find the idea that everyone needs an address is outdated and harmful at least to some groups

Yeah, it is in fact very harmful to homeless, refugees, and even common immigrants ("expats"), among other groups. In some countries, you need a registered or confirmed address for things like opening a bank account, getting a prepaid phone, or even getting a job. Not having those things also prevents you from getting a home, so it's a vicious circle.

[speeder]

I had a bizarre issue with that, where I wanted to get married, and to get the marriage license I needed a permanent address that was mine, not my parents.

But to rent a place, several of them required me to have a family income that was only enough if I had my wife with me, but since we weren't married officially yet, it didn't count.

[ratww]

Yep. Another crazy example: in Germany you often need a registered address to open a bank account, which is often a requirement for renting an apartment in the first place. The government had to intervene and make a law in the end, although most banks still drag their feet.