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Public housing and the politics of stigma

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 20:55 authored by Keith JacobsKeith Jacobs, Kathleen FlanaganKathleen Flanagan
This paper considers the problem of stigmatisation towards tenants residin in public housing. It draws on the findings of a research panel investigation set up to explore the opportunities available for activists and campaigners to address stigma and engender a more positive understanding of public housing and its contribution to ameliorating economic disadvantages. The deliberations of the panel highlighted that, even within a forum sympathetic to the goal of addressing stigma, many conceptual, strategic and practical differences arise and need to be worked through. The paper reviews these challenges through a discussion of recent academic literature and a commentary on the contributions made by participants in the panel discussions. It concludes with the argument that the problem of stigma needs to be contextualised in a wider political setting that takes account of the contested aspects of the policy process and the role that powerful interest groupings have in agenda‑setting, alongside material factors such as poverty. The stigmatisation of public housing tenants is best understood as a symptom of systemic forms of inequality and asymmetrical power relationships. These difficulties also apply to campaigns to tackle the problem. Supporting forums that allow these power relationships to be interrogated is the first step towards change.

History

Publication title

Australian Journal of Social Issues

Volume

48

Pagination

319-337

ISSN

0157-6321

Department/School

School of Social Sciences

Publisher

Australian Council Social Service Inc

Place of publication

Locked Bag 4777, Level 2 619 Elizabeth St Redfern, Strawberry Hills, Australia, Nsw, 2012

Rights statement

Copyright 2013 Australian Social Policy Association Incorporated

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Government and politics not elsewhere classified

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