%0 Thesis
%9 Master
%A Donker, Lisa
%D 2021
%F theses_frw:3422
%P 58
%T We stay home(less)! A research on the social space of homeless people and the impact of Covid-19
%U https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/3422/
%X Currently the Covid-19 virus is still affecting the whole world and its impact is as relevant as ever. In the Netherlands, the country on which this research is focussed, the pandemic had an enormous impact on the population. This research is focussing specifically on the impact of the pandemic for the homeless population. The first aim was to provide insight in the social space and associated tensions of the homeless people in the Netherlands, with a regional focus on the cities Groningen and Assen. The second aim was to investigate in what ways the Covid19 pandemic affected these factors. The central research question posed covering these two research aims was: How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect the social space and associated tensions for homeless people in Groningen and Assen? This research used interviews and secondary data in the form of multiple policy documents and various media sources. The results showed both positive and negative outcomes of the pandemic for the homeless population. The most important conclusions were that the perceived space for homeless people in general became smaller, there was less spatial movement due to broader sheltering options and Covid-19 measures. The conceived space showed exclusion before and during the pandemic, but became more inclusive during the peaks of the pandemic. The lived space of homeless people was heavily influenced by the circumstances the homeless were in before and during the pandemic. There were feelings of vulnerability in shelters and on the street, but extended and/or private sheltering options gave a group of homeless more rest and a chance to recover. These outcomes highlight the importance of a safe place to stay for homeless people. Not only during a pandemic, but also in general.