The street has a magnet, I think it is freedom: power, suffering, and life strategies among homeless persons in the city of Santos, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

The text presents discussions on life strategies among homeless persons in the city of Santos, São Paulo, Brazil. The survey of data took place in 2009 and 2010, by tracking the pathway in the territory and gathering narratives of life memories of all those who claimed to be homeless persons, were over 18 years of age, and agreed to participate in the research. Data reveal numerous everyday strategies of life production and future projects, both on the streets and out of them. We also identify the need to deepen debate on public policies aimed at this population that, so far and according to respondents’ reading, are focused on proposing intervention models restricted to the purpose of removing people from the streets, something which does not promote personal and collective transformation initiatives. These public policies show up as authoritative, since they are ruled by disciplining social behavior.