Investigating varying social justice perspectives on homelessness journeys: The underlying and overarching challenges faced by people with homelessne

From my initial literature review it is clear that poverty and homelessness co-occur in UK society, with homelessness seemingly being determined by systemic inequalities that subsequently affect quality of family relationships and influence individual wellbeing and their decisions to engage in risky behaviours. It is also apparent that there is a broad range of theory about homelessness which is rarely drawn either from individuals experiencing it or those working closest to support them. The proposed preliminary research questions are: (1) What are the leading determinants of individuals becoming homeless? (2) To what extent is homelessness an issue of social justice: How important are individual, familial, social, financial, educational and psychological factors? (3) Does the perception of the responsibility of social injustice, individual, and family factors in determining homelessness differ between those experiencing it, support workers, and the general public?
The current research will examine homelessness journeys from three different angles and report: Primarily, the direct experience of homeless individuals; secondly, the experience of professional third sector support staff and volunteers; thirdly, perceptions of homelessness from people of differing backgrounds in the general public. There will be three study phases which consider journeys into homelessness, journeys back into stable accommodation and public perceptions of homelessness. All participants will be over the age of 18. For the purposes of the current research 'homelessness' will include rough sleeping, sofa-surfing and individuals residing in temporary accommodation. A mixed methods approach will be taken consisting of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. All interviews will be recorded and transcribed verbatim.