Sleepless in Taipei: The application of photovoice method to explore the major challenges perceived by homeless people facing multifaceted social exclusion

Abstract

Homeless people typically experience multiple social exclusions that severely affect their well-being. Therefore, based on clients’ participation, this study aims to explore what homeless people facing multifaceted social exclusion perceive as their biggest challenges in daily life, thereby rethinking the current homelessness policies and practices in Taiwan. Using the photovoice method, six homeless people living in the vicinity of the Taipei Main Station participated in the three-stage project. They took photographs to illustrate the main life difficulties and satisfactions they faced and engaged in dialogues through the images presented in the photographs. Through the photovoice workshops, ‘poor sleep’ was identified as their major common predicament, and all participants responded with strong emotions about the dire need to sleep well. In the final stage, homeless participants proposed the ‘Sleep First’ solution based on their own perspectives, which supported the philosophy of the ‘Housing First’ approach to addressing homelessness.