SLUM' (4 letters) Poor housing is a term used to describe inadequate living conditions, often characterized by overcrowding, lack of basic amenities, and dilapidated structures. Two words that are commonly used to describe poor housing are 'SHANTY' and 'SLUM'. A SHANTY is a small, crudely built dwelling, usually made of wood or other makeshift materials. A SLUM is an area of a city characterized by extreme poverty and substandard living conditions.