Hobosexuality refers to a pattern where someone enters a romantic relationship primarily for housing or financial support, often presenting it under the guise of a deep emotional connection. While the term sounds like internet slang, the reality it describes is neither lighthearted nor trivial.
In recent years, India’s property market has been breaking records. Home prices in top Indian cities have risen sharply, with reports showing increases of up to 14% in premium locations. Property prices across 13 major cities saw a notable jump in March 2025, and experts expect residential costs to continue rising by around 6.5% this year. In metros such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, affording a home — let alone upgrading to a larger one — is increasingly out of reach.
When home ownership becomes a distant dream, rents naturally follow the upward trend. For many urban dwellers, this means even modest living arrangements are becoming harder to afford. In this climate, the emotional loneliness of city life collides with financial strain to create fertile ground for what some are calling urban hobosexuality.
The term “hobosexual” first appeared in Western pop culture and online spaces, often used humorously to describe someone dating purely for shelter. But in India, the phenomenon is losing its comedic undertones. Skyrocketing housing costs are reshaping dating norms, and what once seemed like an exaggerated trope is now part of the lived reality for some.
According to Dr. Chandni Tugnait, psychotherapist and founder-director of Gateway of Healing, more people — particularly women — are finding themselves involved with partners who contribute little emotionally, financially, or logistically, while benefiting disproportionately from the relationship. On the surface, the dynamic may look romantic, but underneath, it often hides a clear imbalance.
Ankita’s story illustrates this well. A successful entrepreneur in her late 30s, she welcomed her partner into her home, thinking it was a natural step forward. Over time, she realised she was covering the rent, paying the bills, and carrying the emotional weight of the relationship. His small gestures, like cooking occasionally or walking the dog, seemed like contributions at first, but when she needed genuine emotional support, he was nowhere to be found.
Such situations are difficult to recognise early on. Modern dating culture often blurs boundaries with love bombing, fast-paced intimacy, and performative vulnerability, making it hard to distinguish affection from manipulation. Many people only spot the imbalance after they are already invested.
Hobosexuality is more than a relationship issue — it reflects the socio-economic pressures of urban life. Deloitte’s 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Work Survey found that over half of young workers in India are living paycheck to paycheck. In cities like Mumbai, housing costs can swallow almost half of an individual’s monthly income.
Cultural expectations also play a role. The push to settle down, the glorification of struggle, and the desire to “save” someone can create conditions where such relationships thrive. What makes the dynamic even more insidious is its disguise: devotion on the surface, dependency underneath.
Calling out hobosexuality isn’t about criticising those who are financially struggling, nor is it a call for rigid independence in relationships. Instead, it’s about ensuring that relationships are based on equality, emotional reciprocity, and respect — not convenience disguised as love.
True love can survive financial ups and downs, but it cannot thrive if one person is consistently carrying all the weight while the other simply benefits. Recognising these dynamics is essential for maintaining healthy, balanced partnerships in today’s urban landscape.
