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

Young people leaving care in England face a sharper increase in homelessness compared to the population more broadly, latest figures show.

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The lawsuit focuses on a federal program known as Continuum of Care that sends money to local governments and nonprofits to fight homelessness.

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He also visited Youth Shedz in the village of Mochdre, which creates a safe space for young people who might be experiencing challenges such as school exclusion, bullying and homelessness.

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But he was disillusioned — by the raids, L.A.’s homelessness crisis, high healthcare costs.

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Last November voters approved the half-cent tax to fight homelessness, which was an increase from the previous quarter-cent levy known as Measure H.

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