“It Feels Like Temporary accommodation”: The Impact of Antisocial Behaviour Interventions on Alleged Perpetrators” Feelings of Ontological Security in Social Housing

Abstract

ABSTRACT ASB interventions have been framed as a necessity to allow residents to feel safe and secure within their own homes by intervening with those who act in a way that causes nuisance or annoyance, however, little research has been conducted into how the ontological security of alleged perpetrators of ASB is impacted by ASB interventions. This research situates ontological security within the theoretical framework of vulnerability, suggesting that a lack of ontological security can heighten vulnerability among arguably already vulnerable ASB perpetrators living within social housing. Reporting from a wider, qualitative longitudinal research project conducted with alleged perpetrators of ASB, this article explores how ASB interventions impact ontological security, finding negative impacts on tenants’ feelings of safety and being “at home”, feelings of insecurity, feelings of being watched and ability to be themselves.