Abstract

The growth of homelessness in the UK has been attributed to government led economic reform, beginning with the election of David Cameron in 2010, who promised to significantly reduce the UK’s welfare bill. We argue that these welfare reforms have adversely affected vulnerable young people and placed key services beyond their reach. This paper shares data collected from young people aged 16–21 living in a homeless hostel in England and seeks to challenge notions of responsibilization, which hold young people accountable for the circumstances in which they become encased. Participants reported that although homelessness was precipitated by violence and abuse at home, local authorities sought parental consent before making provision available. Young people described being refused help and advised to “go home” when they reported themselves as being homeless. Despite feeling safe and well supported in the hostel, residents were aware that hostel support was temporary and described feeling worried about their future. Our research highlights the limited nature of services and concludes that vulnerable young people, without family support, are especially disadvantaged by their circumstances.

摘要

英国无家可归的增长已归因于政府LED经济改革，从2010年大卫·卡梅伦选举开始，他承诺大幅减少英国福利法案。我们认为，这些福利改革对弱势青年产生了不利影响，并使关键服务超出了他们的能力范围。本文分享了从住在英格兰一家无家可归者宿舍的 16-21 岁年轻人那里收集的数据，并试图挑战责任化的观念，这种观念要求年轻人对他们被困的情况负责。参与者报告说，尽管家庭暴力和虐待导致无家可归，但地方当局在提供供应之前征求了父母的同意。年轻人描述自己被拒绝帮助，并在他们报告自己无家可归时被建议“回家”。尽管在宿舍里感到安全和得到很好的支持，但居民们意识到宿舍支持是暂时的，并表示对他们的未来感到担忧。我们的研究强调了服务的有限性，并得出结论认为，没有家庭支持的弱势年轻人在他们所处的环境中尤其处于不利地位。