Abstract
Following ongoing calls to better utilise theory and political science concepts in housing studies, recent years have seen a growing body of work exploring the multi-faceted ways that power relations are present in the housing sphere. This paper contributes to this literature by exploring the role of social and political power in the housing experiences of a marginalised group—specifically lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and additional people who identify as part of sexual and gender diverse communities (LGBTQ+) people. Applying Steven Lukes’ (2005) three-dimensional theory of power to interviews conducted with 20 LGBTQ+ people about their experiences of housing instability, we demonstrate the complex and varied ways that power is exerted within the housing system, and articulate how these dynamics construct conditions of marginalisation for LGBTQ+ people. We find evidence of all three dimensions—sometimes occurring simultaneously—in LGBTQ+ people’s experiences of housing instability. Our findings reveal the complex webs of power relations, the role of institutions, and the effect of repetition, which all serve to reinforce hetero- and cisnormativity in the housing domain. This paper shows the usefulness of both secondary data analysis, as well as applying and testing theory against data to provide a deeper understanding of the phenomenon being studied. This novel approach helps us to articulate and clarify the different power dynamics at play that create instability and marginalisation within housing markets.