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

“Criminalization and arrests of people being unhoused is the most expensive response to homelessness that you can possibly have,” said Jed Leano, senior policy advisor at Inner City Law Center.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

But he sees Mahan as someone who could make improvements by bringing the state toward the political middle on public safety, housing and homelessness.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

Prince William has a project to tackle homelessness, Homewards, and there are plans for the duchy to provide an extra 12,000 homes by 2040.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

You could take many of those same critiques and apply them to the haphazard way in which city and county leaders have addressed homelessness.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026

Prison spared Trina the uncertainty of homelessness but presented new dangers and challenges.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson