Safe but stifled: Assessing the impact of space and place on risk and adaptive response among shelter residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed society's interactions with spaces and places. This is especially true for shelter residents who had greater perceived risks of contracting the virus, largely because of communal living. To understand how shelter residents conceptualized their risk and resilience, we implemented a PhotoVoice project with five artists living in a Miami, FL shelter. Although these residents sometimes perceived the shelter as safe, it was often to the detriment of self-determination. Despite profound restrictions, residents still found ways to adapt to their environment. This article helps shelters and scholars alike better understand the ways that residents conceptualize their lived environments and highlights opportunities to empower residents despite challenging circumstances.