Families Coping with the Experience of Mortgage Repossession in the “New Landscape of Precariousness”

Households in Britain now confront what has been termed 'a new landscape of precariousness' in relation to their work, welfare and social relationships. Unprecedented levels of mortgage repossession are emblematic of these contemporary insecurities. Informed by the call from Titterton, Williams, Popay, Oakley and others for a 'new paradigm of research' this paper draws on a small qualitative study of 30 families who have experienced mortgage repossession in order to illustrate the ways in which people actively develop coping strategies to try and overcome their difficulties, or at least minimise their adverse effects. The analysis shows that people who face mortgage repossession are far from being passive victims. Even though they usually experienced a range of problems which had contributed to their mortgage payment difficulties in the first place, they worked hard to 'fight' to save their homes. The analysis serves as an illustration of how people manage and respond to major life events and how they negotiate with both public and private sector organisations. It also shows how such experiences impact upon social identity, family relations and psycho-social health.