THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

The politics of homelessness research

RATIONALE AND PURPOSE
Motivated by curiosity about whether the increasing
attention and commitment of funds has made a
difference to homelessness OR to people
experiencing homelessness
Assumptions:
- homelessness research takes place in a political
context
- there are inherent tensions in this context for
funders and researchers
Purpose of this paper is to address 2 central
questions:
- how does the political/policy agenda influence the
research agenda (and vice versa)?
- how does existing research contribute to how we
understand and respond to homelessness?
WHAT CONTEXTUAL FACTORS INFLUENCE
HOMELESSNESS RESEARCH?
Research is a political activity
In 2012, the Australian political context is shaped by
trends characteristic of post industrialised countries
including neo liberalism; economic rationalism;
competition policy; and risk identification and
management
Public profile of homelessness (particularly public
space dwelling) has been raised through state,
territory and national government commitments
Limited sources of funding for research
Pressure on researchers to publish or perish




HOW/DOES THE POLITICAL/POLICY AGENDA
INFLUENCE THE RESEARCH AGENDA (AND VICE
VERSA)?
Tenders and applications for research funds are
determined at least in part on the basis of fit
between the political/policy agenda and the
proposal
Researchers gain recognition as experts whose
views are sought
Social issues are picked up by the media which
raises political and public (including researchers)
awareness
Peak bodies and community based services
commission research to raise awareness, highlight
service gaps; and in lobbying government



HOW/DOES EXISTING RESEARCH CONTRIBUTE TO
HOW WE UNDERSTAND AND RESPOND TO
HOMELESSNESS?
Conceptual work, for example Chamberlain and
MacKenzies definition of homelessness,
Robinsons work re the meaning of homelessness
Work that challenges existing beliefs and
stereotypes (for example Johnson & Chamberlain)
Work that focuses on existing administrative
arrangements and identifying ways of changing
how business is done
Work that quantifies the scope of the problem
Publication and dissemination of research findings
Publications, media releases


TENSIONS FOR RESEARCHERS AND FUNDERS
Goal of ending homelessness is the ultimate goal
but impossible when the focus is solely on
housing/homelessness
Need for evidence based policy Vs need for timely
research
Appetite for a single model Vs individual solutions
Expectations about outcomes of research and
initiatives
Pressure to deliver
Conceptual Vs administrative research
Focus on structures Vs individual characteristics
More emphasis on collaboration in an increasingly
competitive environment
Type of research qualitative or quantitative

HAS HOMELESSNESS RESEARCH BECOME
MORE POLITICISED?
There has been a loose consensus about a
culturally relative and inclusive definition of
homelessness homelessness was a relatively
uncontested concept
ABS review of definition and methodology for
counting homelessness represents a break from
this consensus and signals a deeper contest over
control of the agenda
Public, political commitments to achieve specified
outcomes mean government is exposed
Commitment of significant funding means that
governments must be accountable to the electorate
Now both a high visibility political and a policy issue

IMPACTS OF POLITICISATION OF
HOMELESSNESS ON RESEARCH
Commitment of funds and resources
National Homelessness Research Agenda
established
Influences the direction of research undertaken
Constraint or channelling of research interests
Increased competition for funding
Concerns about independence and rigour of
research
Grant capture

THE SHARED GOAL?
Politicians, policy makers and researchers share
similar goals: ending homelessness and improving
the lives of people who experience homelessness
To do this, we need to broaden our understanding
of homelessness research (for example, by looking
more closely at some of the structural issues linked
with homelessness)
We need to bring to centre stage as research
partners those with lived experience and knowledge
We need research that looks at the processes of
inclusion and exclusion, and how policy maintains
or challenges social exclusion
THE FINAL WORD

it is important that future research in this area
should be vigilant over the need to identify the
complex patterns to the processes involved in the
social construction of homelessness
Keith Jacobs, Jim Kemeny and Tony Manzi (1999) The Struggle to define homelessness in Homelessness:
Public Policies and Private Troubles. London, Cassell

The homeless being from whom I now avert my eyes
as I pass byis a human being, and hence myself,
and yourself in another guise. For this uneasiness, I
have been blaming them. But now I am grateful to
them for what they have given me: their existence
has brought home who we are
Robert Ginsberg (1999) Meditations on homelessness and being at home: in the form of a dialogue in The
Ethics of Homelessness. Amsterdam, Rodopi