Okuzeka
Social Work vocabulary · Adults and Vulnerable Groups

Homelessness

Meaning in social work, with examples

/ˈhəʊmləsnəs/nounCore term

In social work, homelessness means: Not having a safe, secure and suitable place to live, from sleeping on the street to staying in temporary or overcrowded accommodation.

In Turkish: evsizlik, barınma sorunu

How it is used

Broader than sleeping outside: UK services call that rough sleeping, and speak of hidden homelessness for people staying on friends' sofas. Councils assess homelessness applications and may provide temporary accommodation.

Example sentences

  1. Leaving care without support is a major cause of youth homelessness.

  2. We work to prevent homelessness by stepping in before an eviction.

Common collocations

  • prevent homelessness
  • youth homelessness
  • hidden homelessness
  • homelessness service
  • at risk of homelessness
  • social housingHomes owned by local authorities or non-profit housing associations and rented at lower, affordable rents to people in housing need.
  • povertyNot having enough money or resources to meet basic needs such as food, housing and heating, or to take part in normal life in society.
  • outreachTaking services out to people where they are, such as on the street or in the neighbourhood, instead of waiting for them to come to an office.
  • care leaverA young person who has spent time in care, for example in foster or residential care, and has moved on to adult life, usually between the ages of 16 and 18.

More terms: Adults and Vulnerable Groups

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