Beyond Housing: Exploring Homelessness Through the Capability Approach

The phenomenon of homelessness in Europe has attracted increasing interest of late due to the rise in the number of homeless people and variations in their characteristics. This qualitative research explores the potential of Sen’s Capability Approach to deepen our understanding of the recovery processes of individuals who have experienced homelessness. Through a case study, the representation developed by Robeyns is used to examine the experiences of 19 individuals. Data collection involved workshops and interviews across different life stages, analysing participants’ goals, barriers, and achievements in relation to homelessness. Results show that while housing provides stability and confidence, personal preferences shape their views on well-being, such as prioritizing relationship employment or mental health. The study emphasizes the importance of recognizing the identities and agency of homeless individuals while underscoring the complexities of analysing agency within homelessness pathways, advocating for further exploration of its role in overcoming homelessness.