unsheltered

[uhn-shel-terd]

adjective

1. not protected or shielded, as from storms or missiles, by a wall, roof, barrier, dense vegetative cover, or the like: The beach is unsheltered from northern winds and gets big waves in late summer.

   Eastside residents now face a steep climb uphill to an unsheltered bus stop if they want to use public transportation.

   The beach is unsheltered from northern winds and gets big waves in late summer.

2. being without a house or lacking permanent housing; houseless; homeless.

   Veterans experiencing homelessness were more likely to be classified as unsheltered—living in cars, public parks, or under highway overpasses.

Sensitive Note

See homeless ( def. ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of unsheltered¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; un- ¹ ( def. ) + sheltered ( def. )

Example Sentences

So far, the county is on track to meet one its major goals for Measure A, which is for unsheltered homelessness to fall 30% from 2024 to 2030.

From Los Angeles Times

The latest data from the Community Partnership, an organisation that works to reduce homelessness, shows about 800 people are unsheltered, while about 4,300 others have some sort of temporary housing.

From BBC

Homelessness in both the city and county has dropped in the last two years, particularly the number of people who are unsheltered, which has fallen 14% in the county and nearly 18% in the city since 2023, data show.

From Los Angeles Times

The rate of unsheltered homelessness, meaning homeless people who are sleeping in places that are not meant for humans to rest in, like parks or cars, is the highest in California.

From Salon

Over the last two years, the unsheltered population in the county has dropped 14%, and 17.5% in the city.

From Los Angeles Times