The relational vulnerability of people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness (MEH) in Spain

This research was supported by the Spanish Government, Programa Estatal de I+D+i Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad, del Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2017-2020. PID2019-111251RB-I00 (2019-2023). II Premio FOESSA. All authors are members of the GRAFO research group (www.grafo.cat, accessed on 24 September 2021). The first author is also a member of CREIS: Centro de Estudios y de Investigación en Emprendimiento e Innovación Social (https://espainnova.uab.cat/es/creis, accessed on 24 September 2021). The third author acknowledges the support of ICREA Academia.This paper draws on research analyzing the emotional and relational impacts of poverty and exclusion on charities' clients in Spain since the 2008-2009 economic crisis, including people experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness (MEH). The study adopts a mixed-methods approach in which twenty in-depth cases were collected in different geographical locations, including twelve cases experiencing MEH. Unlike other disadvantaged groups, those affected by MEH suffer material shortages, traumatic experiences, psychological disorders, physical illnesses, and a high degree of relational vulnerability, as reflected in the structure and composition of their personal networks, which tend to be smaller in size, with just a few weak and temporary contacts, and with care professionals playing an important role. These charity users often need long-term socio-sani-tary care, which challenges public and private health-care systems. Therefore, our contribution to this Special Issue is directed toward improving understanding of the relational characteristics of severely excluded people, how social support affects their personal networks, and the challenges this assistance poses to care services