Homeless and Citizenship: Political Consequences of Anti-Poverty Regimes

My doctoral research examines the ways in which the state facilitates the political participation of some of its most vulnerable citizens. Although individuals experiencing homelessness possess the same rights as their societal counterparts, their relationship with the state is governed by several policies that shape their citizenship. The public policies within a given welfare state may, therefore, affect the accessibility of the political system through their effects on political participation. My research builds on the empirical gaps of the study of homelessness in political science research and the burgeoning literature on policy feedback effects and asks what effects do public policies have on the political participation of homeless populations? Through a comparative research design with Canada, the US, and Australia as cases this project aims to isolate the effects of housing, social assistance, health, and electoral policy on the political participation of citizens experiencing homelessness. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Linda White

Student:

Partner:

The University of Melbourne

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Toronto

Program: