Homeless person, person without housing, person without a home

The slur “bomzh” was originally derived from the Russian phrase which can be translated as “of no fixed abode”, and it became a commonly used expression. With time, the word became hurtful and offensive. The terms vagrant and tramp sound as if the person has never lived indoors, had no job, no family, as if this is the way of life that suits them. There is also a somewhat playful tone in these words, a kind of frivolity that does not apply to the situation when a person finds himself without a roof over their head.

As to the words “homeless person” and “person without housing”, both are correct and inoffensive. However, “homeless person” is the broader term and refers to a person who has no shelter whatsoever. Homeless people include homeless people who live on the streets, in parks, in basements – places not intended for living, as well as people who have shelter.