Narratives of Hope Among the Formerly Homeless People in Istanbul

While Bloch’s conception based on the suspension of the human condition between being and not-yet-being, as opposed to being and non-being, opens a space for hope, Arendt’s emphasis on labor and emancipation provides a concrete program for future expectations. The hope that emerges from the tension between individual isolation and collective practices is vital for society as a whole, but it is even more important for those on the margins, as a kind of validation and safeguard for the hope of the broader society. Studies of homeless people as one of the marginalized groups pay much attention to the act of escaping homelessness, yet the emotional dimensions of this process remain underexplored in sociological research. This qualitative study focuses on the personal stories and experiences of formerly homeless people, exploring themes of recovery, resilience, overcoming homelessness and reintegration, with a particular focus on the emotions surrounding the process of overcoming homelessness, particularly hope. Supported by Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK, 121K287), this 24-month research project was conducted between 2021 and 2023. In-depth interviews with 81 participants (service providers and formerly homeless people) and 120 hours of observation were carried out in Istanbul. The hope narratives of formerly homeless people offer a glimpse of hope both from the past and the future, as they are success stories that have not yet been fully realized. These individuals navigate lives divided between concerns about becoming homeless again, the quality of their current lives, and their plans for the future. What causes them to lose and regain hope? In addition to Ravenhill's four catalysts - hitting bottom, lifestyle becoming too much, sudden shock/trauma, and someone caring - factors such as marriage, having children, supportive social circles, respectful coworkers, full-time employment, and distance from the past are key contributors to rebuilding hope.