Inactive city shelter (6)
I believe the answer is:
latent
'inactive' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'city shelter' is the wordplay.
'city' becomes 'LA' (Los Angeles).
'shelter' becomes 'tent' (tent is a kind of shelter).
'la'+'tent'='LATENT'
(Other definitions for latent that I've seen before include "not out in the open" , "Unrealised, potential" , "Not (yet) apparent" , "Existing but not yet active or visible" , "Hidden (talent)" .)