Cameron Parsell, University of Queensland

Understanding the transition from homelessness to successful social housing tenancy

Homelessness that is long-term, that is coupled with high and complex needs, and on public display, is sometimes though about as a ‘homeless way of life’. The idea that homelessness is a way of life, or the related idea of a ‘homeless identity’, appears to be based on the perceptions of those not experiencing it. This study aims to explore the meaning that people experiencing long-term homelessness ascribe to themselves – to bridge the gap between the way homelessness as an identity can be thought about, and the way people experiencing homelessness perceive their identity.

Primarily, homeless studies have been about the ‘homeless’ (Parker and Fopp 2004: 145); studies where people experiencing homelessness assume central roles are less common (see Horsell 2006; Zufferey and Kerr 2004). This is not only an equity issue, but if our understanding of homelessness is not informed by those experiencing it, perhaps it is understandable that responses to people experiencing long-term homelessness who also have high and complex needs are largely ineffective (Chamberlain and MacKenzie 2006: 210; Mackdacy et al. 2005: 159; SAAP 2004: 136).

Philosophically and theoretically, this study is influenced by a ‘weak’ version of social constructionism and is guided by some key structuration theory concepts. Social constructionism allows homelessness to be viewed as a reality, that is, people do experience it. Homelessness, especially in terms of an identity, however, is also a construction, a construction that could be thought of differently. Aspects of structuration theory will be drawn upon to understand the interplay between structural and individual factors in understanding homelessness.

The methodology for this study is guided by the qualitative paradigm. I will utilise in-depth interviews with people experiencing homelessness, and with key stakeholders working directly with this group.

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