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Research initiative into 'multiple exclusion homelessness'
ESRC 'multiple exclusion homelessness' programme | Launch event – 25 June Rationale for a new programme | Gaps in information | Consultation research report
ESRC 'multiple exclusion homelessness' programme
Following a proposal from the Homeless Link Research Forum, a groundbreaking new research initiative under the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has been launched in partnership with the Housing Corporation, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Communities and Local Government, the Department of Health and Homeless Link (representing the voluntary sector).
Call for papers
The call for papers outlining the criteria for research proposals can be accessed on the ESRC website - Note that the deadline for proposals is 7 August 2008
The aim of the 680k initiative is to ensure that policy and practice responses to multiple exclusion homelessness are better informed by robust evidence. The specific objectives of the programme are:
- to develop a scientifically rigorous account of the relationship between homelessness and other dimensions of 'deep' social exclusion;
- to attain a theoretically-informed understanding of the causes of multiple exclusion homelessness; and
- to shift thinking on multiple exclusion homelessness away from ‘a priori’ organisational categorisations, towards inductive analyses which start from the perspectives of people with relevant first-hand experience.
Although all projects must have an academic lead there is a strong emphasis on involving the voluntary sector and people with experience of multiple exclusion homelessness in research proposals. Innovative new approaches and proposals from areas of academia that has not traditionally been associated with this area of work are also welcomed.
Launch event – 25 June
We are very keen to promote and support joint working between the voluntary sector and academia, but recognise that existing partnerships to take this work forward may not yet be in place. We are therefore holding a networking launch event on 25 June in London to allow representatives from the two sectors to meet and discuss how they can work jointly on research under this initiative.
This half-day event will be an excellent opportunity to meet potential new partners and develop ideas around new approaches to multiple exclusion and homelessness related research. We are especially keen to see representatives from fields of academia that have not previously been associated with research into multiple exclusion homelessness at the event.
The event is free but places are strictly limited. If you would like to attend please contact Esther Sample at Homeless Link - esther.sample@homelesslink.org.uk, 020 79603076
Rationale for a new programme
Homeless Link coordinates a Research Forum for people involved in and interested in research around homelessness. Research to date has provided a welcome knowledge base and led to many service improvements. It has greatly enhanced the quality and diversity of services for vulnerable excluded people. However, due to resources, research undertaken has not provided us with a complete understanding of homelessness, adequately evaluated services for homeless people, or been sufficiently longitudinal in approach.
The Research Forum has recognised that a more comprehensive programme of research is vital, but is beyond the means of most individual organisations. Hence the Forum approached the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to set up a major new research programme around homelessness and social exclusion. The programme will adopt a broad definition of homelessness and explore the complex dynamic of events and issues - social exclusion on multiple levels - that makes it harder for people to obtain and retain accommodation.
Gaps in information
Professor Suzanne Fitzpatrick from the Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York wrote a paper setting out the argument for a new programme. Suzanne’s paper included a comprehensive list of priorities for the programme, identifying gaps in knowledge and assessing their relevance to service delivery and practice. There are limits on what a programme can cover and it will not be possible to tackle all the themes identified. Since the views and knowledge of those who have experienced homelessness and those who are providing, designing and resourcing homelessness services are a core concern of this initiative, we consulted both service users and service providers on what the priorites for this programme should be.
For further information on the programme, please read:
Consultation research report
Suzanne Fitzpatrick's paper idenfied a broad range of gaps in our knowledge of homelessness. To norrow down the priorities for an initial programme, and to ensure that the programme developed reflected the views of the homeless sector and people with experience of homelessness and social exclusion, Mary Carter an independent research consultant was commissioned to develop a consultation, narrowing down the priorities. Full report from this work and a summary is available below.
Download the PDF file: Towards an ESRC research programme on multiple exclusion homelessness: Consultation report for the Homelessness Research Forum
or go to the Summary of the report
The consultation process to inform a potential ESRC bid was funded by Communities and Local Government and the Housing Corporation.
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to participate in this consultation. Your input has been crucial in developing this process and focussing the aims of the proposed research programme.
We hope that this document will not just inform the the ESRC initiative, but that it will also be a useful guide to all researchers working in this field.
Contact
Please email Linda Briheim-Crookall at Homeless Link if you have any queries or would like to know more.
Linda Briheim-Crookall: linda.briheim-crookall@homelesslink.org.uk