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. )

Example Sentences

Almost 76% of the the county’s students experiencing homelessness were Latino, while Black students made up another 12%, in the 2023-24 school year.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

“Research data in the briefs shows that, over the past five years, the number of students experiencing homelessness has increased within every racial and ethnic group — except Filipino students,” the study authors wrote.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

When Lurie announced plans to accelerate the city’s homelessness response with transitional housing and treatment beds, he name-checked the Schwabs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

He has since leaned on donors to address homelessness and economic development.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Consider the recent history of homelessness in the United States.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt