Abstract
The association of isolation and loneliness with early death and a range of poor mental and physical outcomes has resulted in the World Health Organization’s recent call to recognise social connectedness as a global health priority. This article explores what supports and constrains social connectedness for social housing tenants in Aotearoa New Zealand. Here, as in various countries, social housing is targeted at low-income, high-needs people who find it difficult to access housing on the private market. Our study is framed around the concept of social infrastructure and draws on 54 in-depth interviews with tenants, the majority of whom were aged 55+ and lived alone. We show that living in medium- and high-density multi-unit housing complexes with common and shared spaces enables people to form social connections. For many people, these connections develop into relationships of mutual support and provide a sense of collective efficacy. Finally, we identify barriers to people forming social connections. Our findings suggest policies, interventions and design decisions to encourage social connectedness.