Emotional attachment to home and security for permanent residents in caravan parks in Melbourne

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore emotional attachment to home of permanent residents in caravan parks. Analysis of a small number of life histories, with specific probes around matters of belonging to home, community and place, reveals deeper insight when viewed through theoretical lenses provided by the work of Giddens on ontological security and the ideas around emotion and home provided by housing researchers such as Clapham. The exploratory study, covering a range of caravan parks, has been undertaken in two phases: the first in 2003—4 interviewing caravan park managers (10) and the second in 2006 interviewing permanent residents (12). Findings support the central significance of safety and security for many residents, and provide some strong instances of embodied attachment to home in the park. Although objectively challenged by tenure arrangements and social processes, ontological security appears subjectively achievable for some residents.