Helots ill-treated in this place for homeless (6)
I believe the answer is:
hostel
'this place for homeless' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.
'helots ill-treated' is the wordplay.
'ill treated' indicates anagramming the letters.
'helots' is an anagram of 'HOSTEL'.
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hostel that I've seen before include "Cheap lodging house for hikers" , "Youth accommodation" , "somewhere to kip?" , "Cheap lodgings" , "Overnight lodging" .)