Pavement-dweller

A 'pavement-dweller' refers to an individual who primarily lives or spends a significant amount of their time on the streets, sidewalks, or other public spaces. This often implies a lack of stable housing, economic instability, and potential vulnerability to the elements and social challenges. The term encompasses people experiencing homelessness, street performers, vendors, or those whose lives are deeply intertwined with the urban landscape due to choice or circumstance. It suggests a connection to, and reliance upon, the public spaces of a city for survival or livelihood.

Pavement-dweller meaning with examples

• The city's outreach program focused on providing resources to pavement-dwellers, offering food, medical assistance, and access to shelters to combat homelessness. Many encountered were facing mental health challenges and addiction, and this made interaction more difficult. Finding permanent housing and support remains the biggest hurdle.
• He had observed many pavement-dwellers during his daily commutes, watching their interactions with the urban environment and developing a sense of empathy for their struggles. The daily grind was tough, and he often felt bad for people who had fallen on hard times. He thought he was just as likely to become a pavement-dweller as anyone else.
• The photographer aimed to capture the resilience of pavement-dwellers, documenting their lives and struggles in an attempt to humanize their experiences. He sought to portray their creativity in surviving the often difficult circumstances, and not to reduce them to stereotypes. His project was funded entirely by himself.
• The documentary explored the harsh realities faced by pavement-dwellers, showcasing the impact of poverty, lack of support systems, and discrimination. The film highlighted the complexities of their lives, and called for structural solutions such as better education and more mental health support for the underprivileged.