A place to call our own: perspectives on the geographical and social marginalisation of homeless people
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-09-2016-0022 |
| Date | 12 June 2017 |
| Published date | 12 June 2017 |
| Pages | 105-116 |
| Author | Caroline Hughes,Iolo Madoc-Jones,Odette Parry,Sarah Dubberley |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Vulnerable groups,Adult protection,Safeguarding,Sociology,Sociology of the family,Abuse |
A place to call our own: perspectives
on the geographical and social
marginalisation of homeless people
Caroline Hughes, Iolo Madoc-Jones, Odette Parry and Sarah Dubberley
Abstract
Purpose –Notwithstanding heightened awareness of the issues faced by homeless people, the notion that
homelessness is the result of individual failings and weaknesses persists. The purpose of this paper is to
challenge that perception by giving voice to this marginalised group and exploring the mechanisms through
which they made and remade as homeless and may be protected.
Design/methodology/approach –Semi-structured interviews (n ¼23) were carried out with a sample of
homeless people who had accessed a range of homelessness services in the study area.
Findings –It is argued that largely deprived of the private sphere, which arguably renders them in most need
of public space, homeless people find themselves most subject to scrutiny, surveillance, social
disapprobation and exclusion.
Research limitations/implications –The authors reiterate that rather than simply being associated with
rooflessness, homelessness is as a function of ongoing geographical marginalisation and social alienation.
Practical implications –The authors suggest that dedicated spaces for homeless people to occupy during
the day continue to be in need of development because, whilst not unproblematic, they can disrupt
processes associated with homelessness.
Social implications –Further resources should be directed towards homelessness and the issues that
arise during daytime for homeless people.
Originality/value –The paper supports the literature which highlights the spatial practices by which
stigmatised groups come to be separated from mainstream society.
Keywords Safeguarding, Qualitative, Homelessness, Marginalization, Shelters, Spatial practices
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Homelessness has been defined by the United Nations as the absence of permanent shelter which
requires individuals to carry their possessions with them and take shelter where they are able
(United Nations, 2004). However, elsewhere it has been argued that there is a continuum of
homelessness, with rough sleeping at one extreme and being in possession of temporary, insecure
or inadequate housing conditions on the other (Watson and Austerberry, 1986). Recent statistics
suggest that overall homelessness is increasing in England and there has been a sharp upward trend
in the most visible form of homelessness –rough sleeping. Estimating the numbers of people
sleeping rough is notoriously difficult but data published in 2016 suggested that the national total was
up by 55 per cent since 2010 (Fitzpatrick et al., 2016). In November 2016, the Welsh Government
conducted their second annual count of people sleeping rough across Wales and recorded a
72 per cent rise compared to 2015 (Welsh Government, 2017). Because housing is now a devolved
responsibility in the UK policies to address these issues are characterised by considerable diversity.
Fitzpatrick et al. (2016) note, however, that there are common challenges associated with welfare
reform, housing benefit caps and a reduction in the supply of affordable homes.
Parsell (2010) argues that considerable stigma is attached to homelessness. The notion that
homelessness or rough sleeping is a result of moral weakness originates in pre-twentieth century
Received 9 September 2016
Revised 3 March 2017
15 March 2017
Accepted 23 March 2017
Caroline Hughes is based at
the Department of Criminal
Justice, Glyndwr University,
Wrexham, UK.
Iolo Madoc-Jones is based at
the Glyndwr University,
Wrexham, UK.
Odette Parry and
Sarah Dubberley are both
based at the Department of
Criminal Justice, Glyndwr
University, Wrexham, UK.
DOI 10.1108/JAP-09-2016-0022 VOL. 19 NO. 3 2017, pp. 105-116, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1466-8203
j
THE JOURNAL OF ADULT PROTECTION
j
PAG E 10 5
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