Identity in transition: how formerly homeless individuals negotiate identity as they move into housing

ABSTRACT

It is unclear what happens when stigmatized individuals undergo status transitions into non-stigmatized groups. This paper explores changes in housing status, identity, and social relationships over time and their impact on formerly homeless individuals. Drawing on longitudinal qualitative interview data collected over six months from seven individuals transitioning out of homelessness and into government supported housing, this paper examines identity changes during such a status shift. Analysis shows that individuals distanced themselves from both homeless and formerly homeless people, and connected with others through groups not affiliated with homelessness or shelter life. When exiting a stigmatized status, like homelessness, social distancing may be particularly important as it helps redefine the self as apart from that previously held stigmatized status. Implications for research and policy are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Identity
• homelessness
• supported housing
• social distancing
• poverty
• stigma

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Kristen Desjarlais-deKlerk has a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Calgary. She studies homelessness, health, and social support.

Notes

1. Homelessness is a social status that sees individuals as housing-poor (Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, 2015). While homelessness is best understood in a spectrum with rough sleepers, who sleep outside on one end, and those at risk of losing their housing on the other. For the purposes of this paper, homeless refers to individuals dwelling in shelters.

2. Housing First is a particular type of affordable housing where homeless individuals are provided housing before addressing any of their other needs (Tsemberis & Eisenberg, 2000).

3. Ego-centered networks are personal social networks of individuals of interest (Newman, 2003).

4. Phenomenology refers to a perspective that accounts for individuals’ subjective meanings, and seeks to understand their experiences from their vantage points (Smith, 2004).

5. Provisional homelessness refers to individuals who have a non-permanent place to sleep indoors at night (Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, 2015).

6. The Agency prioritizes those with higher acuities into supported housing, including those who have physical or mental health issues.