An Examination of Cultural Repertoires and Social Ties Related to Surviving, Navigating, and Exiting Chronic Unsheltered Homelessness in Asheville, NC

Abstract

As rates of unsheltered homelessness grow nationwide, understanding the social lives of people experiencing homelessness becomes increasingly imperative. This study examines how cultural repertoires learned in adolescence influence the daily lives of people experiencing chronic unsheltered homelessness (PECUH) in Asheville, NC, paying particular attention to social ties. Data for this research includes 21 semi-structured interviews with PECUH and three months of ethnographic fieldwork. Utilizing a grounded theory approach, findings indicate that the cultural repertoires of participants with low-income backgrounds may help them survive and navigate life on the streets. However, cultural repertoires may also hinder individuals' ability to exit chronic homelessness. This study's findings have several implications. First, they enhance our understanding of the complex social lives of people experiencing homelessness and elaborate on the role of cultural repertoires and social ties within vulnerable populations. The data also reveal the necessity of funding and expanding low-barrier resources for people experiencing homelessness to better support their social relationships and overall quality of life. Finally, the findings from this study have implications regarding institutionally recognized pathways out of homelessness: I argue that a critical mismatch exists between the cultural repertoires of those who create pathways and those who are expected to follow them, which contributes to an increase in failed exits out of homelessness and a rise in chronic homelessness.