Resistance and identity: homeless women’s use of public spaces

Abstract

This paper explores women’s geographies of homelessness with a particular focus on homeless women’s use of public spaces in England. It demonstrates that homeless women’s spatial boundaries are not confined to the institutional spaces of homelessness, as much literature and research would suggest, but frequently extend into public spaces and buildings. The paper also argues that homeless women’s use of public spaces can be conceptualised in terms of resistance: by occupying these spaces homeless women are challenging the rules governing public places which render them unwelcome there; and they are resisting a shift of identity arising from their homeless status. Keywords: