unsheltered

American  

[uhn-shel-terd] / ʌnˈʃɛl tərd /

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.

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Sensitive Note

See homeless ( def. ).

Etymology

Origin of unsheltered

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

Example Sentences

Unsheltered homelessness – that is people living on the streets – dropped 14%.

From Los Angeles Times

Mahan claimed policies under his watch have reduced crime and the number of unsheltered residents, helped police solve every city homicide for nearly the last four years, and should be emulated statewide.

From Los Angeles Times

Mahan said San José has made “measurable progress” on the issues that voters raise with him at the grocery store: “crime, the high cost of living, unsheltered homelessness, untreated addiction.”

From Los Angeles Times

So far, California has fallen short of those goals and has just begun to see success in reducing its homeless population, which sat at 116,000 unsheltered people in 2025.

From Los Angeles Times

He pointed to a recent 9% statewide drop in unsheltered homelessness as evidence that years of state investment and policy changes are beginning to show results.

From Los Angeles Times