The autistic experience of homelessness, implications from a narrative enquiry

Emerging research suggests autistic people are disproportionately represented in homeless populations. Less is known about how autistic people experience homelessness, and what prevents them from exiting homelessness. This paper presents findings from a narrative enquiry investigating the link between autism and homelessness. Ten autistic adults consented to participate in narrative interviews which explored their life histories and pathways through homelessness. This paper considers how participants experienced rough sleeping and sofa surfing before attempting to access hostels. It then examines how participants navigated support systems, arguing that barriers to accessing services perpetuated homelessness. Because of these barriers some participants disengaged with services, preferring to sleep rough. The extent to which participants could be said to have ‘chosen’ homelessness is balanced with consideration of the lack of autonomy autistic adults are able to exercise over their lives. This paper concludes with discussion of practical implications for services and policy in England.