INHABITING URBAN SPACE: THE HOMELESS POPULATION FROM THE CENTER NEIGHBORHOOD OF ARACAJU (SE)
homeless population; public policy; right to the city; aporophobia; Aracaju.
The homeless population is part of the scenario of social challenges in large cities around the
world, with its trajectory marked by multiple, persistent and cumulative detachments. This
research focuses on the homeless population, in the Centro neighborhood of Aracaju - SE,
immersed in a reality of social vulnerability, which represents one of the most extreme forms
of urban poverty. The central purpose is to understand the relationship between the homeless
population and the urban space of the Centro neighborhood of Aracaju - SE, focusing on daily
living practices. The study adopts a methodological approach that incorporates the analysis of
Life Stories with 15 participants, 11 of whom are homeless people and 4 professionals who
work with them. The research uses bibliographic and documentary sources relevant to the topic,
field research and mapping, to identify the places with the greatest presence of the homeless
population, as well as to highlight aporophobia. Other methodological procedures are added,
such as the analysis of resources available on websites, articles, virtual libraries, and journalistic
articles. The lack of articulation, the insufficiency of public policies, and the absence of urban
public facilities that served the population in question were noted. The life stories highlighted
important aspects of the daily life of the homeless population: lack of structure in shelters, as
well as the absence of adequate shelters for women and families. The most common motivations
for being homeless include breaking family ties, conflicting relationships, use of psychoactive
substances and depression. Segregationist spaces marked by aporophobia and hygienic
measures were identified, especially in commercial areas, bank branches, gardens and facades.
It is hoped that this dissertation can contribute to the understanding of the relationships between
the homeless population of Aracaju, the urban space and the fight for their rights.