tramp, vagabond, hobo, homeless person [noun] [de zwerver, de zwervers]

The word "zwerver" can also be translated with "drifter" or "wanderer", the associated verbs being "zwerven" or "rondzwerven" (see Related words). However, usually the meaning is more negative: "tramp" or "homeless person".

In the Netherlands we are not doing too badly in preventing people from becoming homeless. However, we do have our fair share of "zwervers" in the bigger cities. The situation seems to have improved in the last decade and one is not confronted with beggars as much as for example in the 80s.

Examples:
– "De zwerver probeerde wat geld te verdienen voor een slaapplaats door op straat liedjes te zingen."
("The tramp tried to make some money for a sleeping-place by singing songs on the street.") 

– "Ach moet je die zwerver zien, echt zielig…"
("My, look at that hobo, how sad/pitiful…")

– "Je hebt ook mensen die er voor kiezen om zwerver te zijn."
("There are people who choose to be homeless.")

– "In Italië lopen overal zwerfkatten."
("In Italy, stray cats are everywhere.") 

Related words:
– Zwerven: to wander, float, drift [verb] [zwierf, gezworven].
– Rondzwerven: to wander/roam about [verb] [zwierf rond, rondgezworven].

Examples:
– "Wie laat zijn kinderen nou zo laat op straat rondzwerven?"
("Who would let his children wander on the streets this late?")

– "We gaven de rondzwervende huisdieren wat eten en water."
("We gave the stray pets some food and water.")

– Bedelaar: beggar [noun] [de bedelaar, de bedelaars].
– Bedelen: to beg [verb] [bedelde, gebedeld].
– Dakloos: homeless [adjective]. Literally: "roofless".
– Dakloze: homeless person [noun] [de dakloze, daklozen].
– Verslaafd: addicted [adjective].
– Opvang: shelter [noun] [de opvang, no plural]. Usually this implies food and a bed.