Non-Performing Loans, Non-Performing People: Life and Struggle with Mortgage Debt in Spain

In "Non-Performing Loans, Non-Performing People," Melissa García-Lamarcas explores how mortgage debt affects individuals and unites resistance in the fight for housing justice. Drawing from activist research in Barcelona's housing movement, the book connects lived experiences of indebtedness to political-economic processes related to housing and debt. It integrates a racialized, gendered, and decolonial perspective, highlighting how financial speculation is experienced daily and how collective action can unleash the potential for liberation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2022
Publisher: University of Georgia Press

Non-Performing Loans, Non-Performing People is a groundbreaking work that delves into the previously untold stories of individuals grappling with mortgage debt in times of precarity. It explores the powerful connection between individualized indebtedness and collective resistance in the pursuit of housing justice. The book draws upon several years of extensive engagement with activist research within Barcelona's housing movement, particularly with the prominent collective known as the Platform for Mortgage-Affected People (PAH). Through her interactions with fellow activists and the broader movement, Melissa García-Lamarcas was compelled to reexamine the intricate relationship between lived experiences of indebtedness and the larger political-economic processes surrounding housing and debt.

Inspired by feminist scholars who incorporate the lens of everyday life into their explorations of contemporary political economy, as well as anthropologists who link macro processes to lived experiences, García-Lamarcas' research stands out for its unique approach. By integrating a racialized, gendered, and decolonial perspective, her study delves into two principal phenomena. Firstly, it uncovers how financial speculation permeates daily life and is intricately embedded within the dynamics of urban capital accumulation. Secondly, it explores the transformative potential of collective action, unveiling how it can unleash the liberating possibilities of indebtedness.

Through vivid narratives and in-depth analysis, Non-Performing Loans, Non-Performing People sheds light on the experiences of individuals who find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt, unable to meet their mortgage obligations. It highlights the systemic inequalities and injustices that contribute to mortgage precarity, such as predatory lending practices, economic downturns, and discriminatory housing policies. The book also underscores the resilience and solidarity displayed by those who are fighting against these challenges, forming grassroots organizations, advocating for policy change, and mobilizing communities to demand housing justice.

By challenging the dominant narratives of individual responsibility and blaming, Non-Performing Loans, Non-Performing People offers a powerful critique of the financial system and its impact on marginalized communities. It emphasizes the need for systemic reform and the importance of collective action in addressing the housing crisis. The book provides valuable insights for policymakers, activists, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of debt, housing, and social inequality. It serves as a call to action, urging us to recognize the interconnectedness of our lives and work together to create a more just and equitable world.

Weight: 276g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780820363004