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

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.