Researchers from the University of Birmingham have contributed to a new digital resource that shares families’ lived experiences of housing insecurity.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham have contributed to a new, freely available digital resource that shares families’ lived experiences of housing insecurity — a challenge that affects almost every aspect of daily life, with significant consequences for both parents’ and children’s health and wellbeing.
As part of the NIHR School for Public Health Research (SPHR) project Living with housing insecurity, researchers collaborated with artist Maisy Summer to produce an illustrated report entitled Far from Home. The report draws on qualitative interviews with parents and children living in London, South Yorkshire and the North West, capturing their stories in an accessible and engaging way.
By focusing on the experiences of these families, Far from Home highlights the wide-ranging impacts of housing insecurity and raises awareness of the urgent need to prioritise safe, stable housing and better support for families.
Living with housing insecurity takes its toll on many aspects of people’s lives – from their health to finding secure employment. The effects on families living with children are even more profound. Our report outlines the experiences of families with children in terms of the challenges they face. Connecting with wider work at the University of Birmingham about building safer, healthier places for young people, it also highlights how listening to children’s voices deepens our understanding of the multiple effects of poor quality, insecure environments on their lives
Our report shares families' experiences in their own words, using illustrations to visually convey the emotional and practical realities of housing insecurity. Maisy’s delicate line work, thoughtfully chosen colour palette and rich, textural mark making bring families’ narratives to life in a sensitive and engaging way. We hope the report will help a wider audience understand the profound toll housing insecurity takes on parents’ and children’s health and everyday wellbeing
Our illustrated report shows how insecure, temporary accommodation takes its toll on mental health — through constant moves, overcrowding and the daily uncertainty of what comes next. These portraits are not isolated stories but reflect a wider pattern affecting families living with housing insecurity. Safe, stable housing and trauma-informed support are vital for families’ mental health and wellbeing.
It is hoped this resource will help people understand in more detail the implications of housing insecurity. The project has also produced a summary of its findings with key recommendations to advise local authority strategies for reducing housing insecurity among families with children.
Chair in Human Geography
Professor Kraftl is best known for his research on children's geographies, focusing on children and young people's experiences of and interactions with environmental processes.
