Crossword Genius

Poorest like grant for housing (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

least

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'poorest' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'like grant for housing' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'like' could be 'as' and 'as' is located in the answer.
'grant' could be 'let' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'let' is found within the leftover letters.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for least that I've seen before include "Smallest in amount or degree" , "Steal (anag)" , "Being lowest in importance - gone stale" , "Minimal amount" , "Smallest part" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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