homelessness

American  

[hohm-lis-nis] / ˈhoʊm lɪs nɪs /

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.

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Sensitive Note

See homeless ( def. ).

Etymology

Origin of homelessness

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

Explanation

Homelessness is a situation in which people don't have a place to live. A family experiencing homelessness might need to temporarily stay in a city shelter or with a relative. Homelessness is a state of being without a home. The word usually describes the circumstances of people who have fallen on hard times and don't have the money or ability to acquire a safe, stable place to live. Homelessness is a widespread problem across the U.S., with causes that include poverty, addiction, domestic violence, low wages, and lack of affordable housing.

Example Sentences

Days after becoming the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, Essayli established a task force aimed at investigating local homelessness and community safety spending.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026

Now he could well become L.A.’s first homeless mayor—fittingly, in a city where homelessness is the greatest civic obsession as well as the greatest civic bane.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Gov. Gavin Newsom endorsed Mayor Karen Bass in her bid for reelection Thursday, lauding her for reductions in street homelessness and violent crime in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

Canavan said failure to adequately handle the problem of homelessness will have knock-on impacts for health and social care.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

All that money that could help other species or other conservation efforts or tackle human problems such as homelessness or poverty—for one species?

From "Camp Panda" by Catherine Thimmesh