Homeless Women: Memories, Daily Life and Access to the Public Policies

Abstract

This study aims to analyze experiences of homeless women in the region of Vale do Sinos, in Rio Grande do Sul, retrieving their memories, daily lives and access to the public policies. It is an exploratory and descriptive research which used a qualitative methodology. Participant observationswere conducted and related tothe use of a sociodemographic questionnaire and a life history interview. Ten homeless women, aged between 20 and 61, participated in this study. The analysis of the material collected was made through content analysis. The results pointed out the need for public policies aimed at homeless women, which consider the way they live and their experiences as homeless people.