Logo image
Back
Responsibility for homelessness: lived experience perspectives and their alignment with neoliberal discourse
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Responsibility for homelessness: lived experience perspectives and their alignment with neoliberal discourse

Darran Stonehouse, Jacqui Theobald and Guinever Threlkeld
The Australian Journal of Social Issues, Vol.57(2), pp.356-371
06/2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.191
url
Responsibility for homelessness: Lived experience perspectives and their alignment with neoliberal discourseView

Related links

Metrics

102 Record Views
9 Times Cited - Web of Science

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#1 No Poverty
#3 Good Health and Well-Being
#5 Gender Equality

Source: InCites

Abstract

Social Issues Social Sciences Homelessness lived experience neoliberalism responsibilisation responsibility
In a context of increasing welfare conditionality, governmental responses to homelessness in Australia continue to be influenced by neoliberal discourses of personal responsibility. This is reflected in their emphasis on individualised interventions and lack of attention to structural drivers of homelessness. Research examining these issues has primarily focused on policies and practices aiming to responsibilise individuals' conduct, and less so on how those with lived experiences view and apportion responsibility for homelessness. In recognition of this gap, this paper reports findings from a qualitative study examining the views of responsibility expressed by nine individuals with lived experiences of homelessness. Findings demonstrate that participants recognised their own responsibilities, yet also highlighted significant constraints on individual agency associated with being homeless and emphasised unmet responsibilities of governments. Our analysis demonstrates how participants' views contrast with neoliberal discourses of personal responsibility, and problematise notions of "fair reciprocity" on which they are premised. We argue their views can be interpreted as supporting alternative notions of shared responsibility for homelessness. These findings have implications for policy and practice and highlight the need to further engage with lived experience perspectives to advance more effective and socially just responses to homelessness in Australia.

Details

Logo image