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

Abstract

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 | 357 STONEHOUSE ET al.

A critical discourse analysis of older women’s representation in housing and homelessness

“…Overall, findings revealed the Commonwealth and NSW State Government’s underlying belief that individuals can earn their access to financial and housing assistance through hard work suggesting the government’s underlying ideology of neoliberalism driven by a focus on privatisation which perpetuates the ‘ deserving and undeserving ’ narrative (Fenton, 2021; Stonehouse et al, 2021).…”

The perspectives of homeless people using the services of a mobile health clinic in relation to their health needs: a qualitative study on community-based outreach nursing

“…We opted for this methodological approach to emphasise the social and political dimensions of the problem of homelessness and the difficulties of access to health services for people experiencing homelessness. In terms of political dimensions, one can think of decreased funding in social programmes for access to employment and housing, budgetary restraint measures (neoliberal policies and austerity) and cuts in healthcare, among others (Donnan, 2014; Fazel et al, 2014; Gaetz et al, 2016; Stonehouse et al, 2022).…”

Lived Expertise in Homelessness Policy and Governance

“…For example, studies have considered the (mis)alignment between existing approaches and lived experiences of homelessness. This has included the considerations of narratives and self-perceptions that question liberal individualized practices and advocate for more focus on structural constraints and systemic factors (Toolis and Hammack 2015;Stonehouse et al 2022). Research has shown the importance of governance in homelessness policy, pointing to the need for collaborative structures across levels of government, policy actors, and areas (see, for example, Doberstein 2016;Hafer 2018;Smith 2022).…”