Representing Homelessness

This volume analyses the representation and self-representation of homelessness. It argues that the representation of homelessness is not a peripheral issue, but in fact is key to tackling the problem. The volume is interested in ‘representation’ in the media, literary texts and social policy documents, but also in the political sense of how charity and governmental organisations seek to ‘represent’ people with experience of homelessness. It describes how people affected by homelessness are perceived as objects (‘dehumanised perception’) created by the process of Othering. Homelessness Studies publications typically focus on the social sciences. This volume, in contrast, is innovative in its cross-disciplinary nature. It features research from the arts, humanities, science and the social sciences, exploring what these areas can offer each other. It also includes writing by people with lived experience of homelessness. The volume argues that stereotypical representations of homelessness, while useful for charity fundraising, do more harm than good. It also argues that focusing on the talent and ability of people experiencing homelessness is a way to combat Othering and dehumanised perception. It concludes that organisations tasked with dealing with homelessness must include greater representation from people with direct ‘lived experience’ of homelessness.