Home as a Base for a Well-Lived Life: Comparing the Capabilities of Homeless Service Users in Housing First and the Staircase of Transition in Europe. Issue 3 (27th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O' Shaughnessy, Branagh; Manning, Rachel M.; Greenwood, Ronni Michelle; Vargas-Moniz, Maria; Loubière, Sandrine; Spinnewijn, Freek; Gaboardi, Marta; Wolf, Judith R.; Bokszczanin, Anna; Bernad, Roberto; Blid, Mats; Ornelas, Jose; The HOME-EU Consortium Study Group,
• Is Part Of: Housing, theory and society. Volume 38:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 343
• Page End: 364
• Publication Date: 2021-05-27
• Subjects: Capabilities approach -- Housing First -- homelessness -- ontological security -- Europe; Housing -- Periodicals; City planning -- Periodicals; Housing -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Housing policy -- Periodicals; 363.51
• DOI: 10.1080/14036096.2020.1762725
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1403-6096

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Nussbaum's Central Capabilities refer to the elements of a well-lived life, and many adults who experience homelessness are deprived of these capabilities. The study aim was to investigate whether service users experience different homeless services as affording or constraining capabilities. We conducted semi-structured interviews with homeless service users ( n = 77) in Housing First (HF) and staircase services (SS) in eight European countries. We used thematic analysis to identify three themes: autonomy and dependency, the relational impact of living arrangements, and community interaction and stigma. While SS participants were able to address their bodily integrity and health, their higher-order capabilities were constrained by their homeless situations. HF participants described home as a base from which they could enact a wide range of capabilities indicative of a well-lived life. We conclude that housing-led service models with appropriate supports are key to affording service users' capabilities. Practical and policy implications are discussed.