Abstract
Living in temporary accommodation (TA) can impact negatively on social and emotional well-being, particularly where it is poor-quality, large-scale, or congregate in nature. None-the-less, the ‘avoidance’ of TA, where an individual will sleep rough or squat when a bed space is available for their use, often provokes puzzlement on the part of the public, service providers and policy makers. Homeless people who abandon or avoid TA are often viewed as holding beliefs, characteristics or traits that render them unable or unwilling to make choices which prioritise their own well-being. Drawing on cognitive appraisal theory, and qualitative testimony from those with direct experience of TA in Belfast, this article challenges these perspectives, arguing that the avoidance of TA is better understood as a rational and reasoned response to an environment where intolerable levels of stress often pertain and individual control over stressors is extremely limited.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 380-396 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Housing Studies |
Volume | 36 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 23 Jun 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 16 Mar 2021 |
Keywords
- abandonment
- Homelessness
- hostel
- rough sleeping
- temporary accommodation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
- Sociology and Political Science
- Urban Studies