Down and out? Homelessness and citizenship

Abstract

It is widely recognised that homeless people are among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable members of Australian society. But further to this, those who are homeless are excluded from participation in a wide variety of socio-political activities that other citizens take for granted. A survey of homeless people conducted in Brisbane in 2003 has confirmed that many homeless people do not identify as Australian citizens, and many believe that they do not enjoy the same citizenship rights as the remainder of the population. This article draws on both human rights law and T H Marshall's (1950) theory of citizenship in its discussion of the many ways in which the civil, political and social citizenship rights of homeless people are infringed or denied. The article argues that citizenship theory may contribute something unique to the lobby for increased rights for people who are homeless for three reasons. First, the use of citizenship terminology in advocacy may prove more persuasive to a federal government that has identified the enhancement of citizenship as a policy goal. Second, citizenship theory promotes community membership over and above individualism. And third, citizenship theory (particularly that of Marshall) advances a persuasive argument to the effect that it is only through the provision of social citizenship rights (such as the right to housing, the right to social security, the right to the highest attainable standard of health and the right to education) that the civil and political citizenship rights of marginalised people can be secured. Thus, it provides an alternative framework within which to lobby for social and economic rights for marginalised groups, such as people who are homeless.