“A Community of One”: Social Support Networks and Low-income Tenants Living in Market-rental Housing

Authors

  • Catherine Leviten-Reid Cape Breton University
  • Kristen Desjarlais-deKlerk Cape Breton University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15402/esj.v10i2.70856

Keywords:

rental housing, social support, social networks, non-profits, poverty

Abstract

Social networks, and the supports they provide, are often thought to be key to the survival of those living in poverty. Rooted in a partnered research initiative on the housing experiences of tenants in greatest need, we examine the social support networks of low-income renters living in market housing, while in receipt of rent subsidies and assistance from housing workers to do so. Based on 21 interviews with tenants and service providers, we find that participants in our study have very limited informal social support, which is also confined to instrumental rather than emotional dimensions. Many deliberately did not engage with those with whom they once socialized or their neighbours, and identified spatial aspects of their housing that facilitated removal from harmful networks. However, it is also clear that individuals in our study were not without ties. Despite having limited, and also actively limiting, informal ties, participants sought out and received extensive material and emotional support from non-profit organizations including harm reduction, youth and women’s centres, as well as from housing workers. Results amplify the role of these organizations beyond material survival; implications include ensuring tenants are able to access the organizations on which they rely, and adequately resourcing non-profits.

Author Biographies

Catherine Leviten-Reid, Cape Breton University

is an associate professor in the Community Economic Development program at CBU. She is also a research associate with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – Nova Scotia. Working in partnership with community organizations, Catherine does research on affordable housing, homelessness, the social economy and community development.

Kristen Desjarlais-deKlerk, Cape Breton University

is an Assistant Professor in the Department of L’nu, Political, and Social Studies at CBU and is on the board of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. She is a settler-Metis woman and mixed methods community-engaged researcher. Her research focuses on homelessness, housing, social support, health, and harm reduction.

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Published

2024-08-21

How to Cite

Leviten-Reid, C., & Desjarlais-deKlerk, K. (2024). “A Community of One”: Social Support Networks and Low-income Tenants Living in Market-rental Housing. Engaged Scholar Journal: Community-Engaged Research, Teaching, and Learning, 10(2), 42–61. https://doi.org/10.15402/esj.v10i2.70856

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