Variety of former shelter (6)
I believe the answer is:
extent
'variety' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both human attributes as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'former shelter' is the wordplay.
'former' becomes 'ex' (prefix meaning former or onetime).
'shelter' becomes 'tent' (tent is a kind of shelter).
'ex'+'tent'='EXTENT'
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for extent that I've seen before include "Area something covers" , "Degree - amount - scope" , "Area covered by something" , "Magnitude - scope" , "Range or scope of something" .)