Stigma, extreme poverty and residential situation: Residential segregation, household conditions and social relationship satisfaction among trash pickers in León, Nicaragua

Abstract

This study analyses the housing characteristics, residential situation, household conditions and satisfaction with social relations of trash pickers ( N = 99) in León, Nicaragua. Results show that the trash pickers in León live in slum households. A large percentage of the trash pickers live in a situation of residential segregation, although a substantial number of them are scattered across different neighbourhoods in the city. However, this does not seem to affect the widespread social rejection perceived by those interviewed. The trash pickers live in overcrowded conditions, despite reporting a high level of satisfaction with their relationships with their relatives.