Homeless young people ‘strategizing’ a route to housing stability: service fatigue, exiting attempts and living ‘off grid’

‘Press-ganged’ Generation Rent: youth homelessness, precarity and poverty in east London

“…Tehuti (male, 24, black African) described the ubiquitous reputation of the PRS -'there's no level of security'. The young people themselves had a remarkably realistic assessment of their incapacity to sustain a PRS tenancy given the kind of precarious NMW jobs they had had in the past and were likely to have in the future (Mayock and Parker, 2019). p. 137.…”

“…Although some research is available (McKee et al, 2017a;Mayock and Parker, 2019), the first gap refers to the impacts of recent housing transformations on workingclass youth in general and low-income youth in particular: 'an explicit focus on lowincome groups is crucial, for they are experiencing these shifts in the housing tenure structure most acutely ' (McKee et al, 2019: 14). Although Hardgrove et al (2015) note the significance of precarious housing in their analysis of working-class male youth labour market precarity, their housing analysis is limited and tends to focus on family support issues.…”

“…Youth housing transitions cannot be understood in isolation from other youth transitions and experiences, notably those related to employment and austerity-related welfare restructuring and cutbacks (Cole et al, 2016;McKee et al, 2017a;2017b;Mayock and Parker, 2019). Hence, growing housing precarity -signified by insecurity and evictions -needs to be understood in relation to increased labour market precarity (Standing, 2011).…”

“They’re Always Complicated but That’s the Meaning of Family in My Eyes”: Homeless Youth Making Sense of “Family” and Family Relationships

“…The family lives and relationships of young people who experience separation from their families, including homeless youth, might be expected to be complex. Nonetheless, studies that have examined the family relationships of homeless young people, albeit limited in number, suggest that very many express a desire to reengage and participate in family relationships, even in circumstances where conflict, abuse, or violence were present (Mallett, Rosenthal, Keys, & Averill, 2010; Mayock, Corr, & O’Sullivan, 2011; Mayock & Parker, 2017; Mayock, Parker, & Murphy, 2014). Furthermore, recent longitudinal research in Europe, the United States, and Australia indicates that family plays a significant role in shaping the lives and experiences of homeless youth.…”

“…Furthermore, recent longitudinal research in Europe, the United States, and Australia indicates that family plays a significant role in shaping the lives and experiences of homeless youth. While homeless young people are frequently presumed to be disconnected from family, it is increasingly recognized that their families can provide them with critical supports (emotional, practical, and/or financial) that bolster their ability to exit homelessness and affect positive change that enables them to build a sustainable future (Braciszewski, Toro, & Stout, 2016; Mallett et al, 2010; Mayock et al, 2011; Mayock & Parker, 2017; Milburn et al, 2009). While a return to the family home may not be a viable, appropriate, or desirable option for many (Kurtz, Lindsey, Jarvis, & Nackerud, 2000; Mayock et al, 2011), familial reconciliation and improved family relationships are nonetheless possible, particularly where regular contact is maintained (Mallett et al, 2010; Mayock & Corr, 2013; Mayock et al, 2011).…”