homelessness

[hohm-lis-nis]

noun

1. lack of permanent housing, especially this condition generally as a matter of public concern.

   The city partners with community groups to offer resources for youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

2. lack of a feeling of belonging; rootlessness or restlessness.

   He writes about a feeling of homelessness after immigration, when he felt neither firmly bound to his native culture nor fully adapted to the new one.

Sensitive Note

See homeless ( def. ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of homelessness¹

First recorded in 1810–20; homeless ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Elected leaders in the city of 100,000 have said they’ve borne a disproportionate burden of addressing homelessness in the region.

From Los Angeles Times

She became a volunteer in the Passage homelessness charity, which Cardinal Hume had helped to set up - and which is now given high-profile support by the Prince of Wales.

From BBC

My department, through my excellent team of Ministers, has also provided the largest ever investment in homelessness prevention services to local authorities, to get Britain back on track to ending homelessness for good.

From BBC

The current funding picture comes after years of increased public investment that officials have attributed to recent declines in homelessness.

From Los Angeles Times

The drug addiction and homelessness plaguing MacArthur Park are there not because politicians failed, but because all of society has.

From Los Angeles Times