The ‘Hum’, as described by Connie Long, a peer and advocate in British Columbia, is the constant noise of dispossession as homeless people’s belongings are seized, stolen and destroyed. Drawing from an ongoing research project, this podcast explains the ‘hum’ and its traumatizing effects. Nick Blomley from Simon Fraser University joins us as co-host to talk about the research being done in this space. This episode includes clips from an interview with Connie Long, performed and recorded by Claire Shapton.
Nicholas Blomley is a Professor of Geography at Simon Fraser University, and a researcher in a cross-Canada research project on homeless people’s belongings.
Connie Long is an advocate for vulnerable communities with lived experience who organizes in Chilliwack and Abbotsford. She has experience with addiction and is passionate about what she does.
Claire Shapton recently completed an MA in Geography at Simon Fraser University, and worked closely with Drug War Survivors, an peer centred organization in Abbotsford.
Chapters
(00:11) Loss of Personal Belongings in Homelessness
(10:17) Trauma of Losing Home and Belongings
(19:29) Effects of Trauma and Loss
(27:59) Dehumanization and Dispossession of Belongings
(38:50) Addressing Homelessness and Belongings Advocacy
(51:36) Importance of Addressing Property Loss
Resources:
"Homeless people deserve a right to belongings" by Nicholas Blomley and Connie Long