Intersecting Precarities in Housing and Legal Status: No Residence Permit Without Permanent Residence

This article shows that different manifestations of precarity often interact and mutually reinforce each other. Drawing on a research project on precarious housing in two cities in Germany and Switzerland and focusing on migratised individuals, we show that people frequently encounter precarity not only in terms of housing but also in terms of legal status. We argue that narrowly concentrating on isolated areas of people’s lives may overlook the overall severity of their situation. We introduce the concept of ‘intersecting precarities’ to highlight how different uncertain, instable and unpredictable conditions across distinct domains of life interact in a multidirectional way and create complex situations that trap individuals in Catch-22 situations. Our approach therefore advances the literature on precarity and brings together studies on migration, welfare and housing, while also suggesting that exploring the interaction of different manifestations of precarity can benefit fields of study beyond housing and legal status.