Single people and homelessness: a sociological study of Durham Cyrenlans

Abstract

This study is presented in two sections. The first Is about national and local housing issues and homelessness, providing contextual background for the history of Durham Cyrenlans, a small project providing accommodation and support for single homeless people. The second section is about the social processes experienced by residents, volunteer workers and management committee members as they join the project, become involved in it and leave it. The theoretical framework within which this study is set is that of the relationship between the centre and the periphery of society. The essence of the study is that homelessness is a socially created problem arising out of the centre periphery relationship, not one of inadequate people and it is suggested that it is with this understanding that change can be realised.