Ethnic Discrimination in the German Housing Market: Relevance, Determinants, and Contribution to Spatial Segregation

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Thomas Hinz
• Subject Area: Empirical Social Research
• Term: from 2010 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 160925925

Inequality of housing conditions and pronounced residential segregation by ethnic background are important characteristics of migrants' lack of social integration and disadvantage in Germany. The first funding period of the project provided a solid foundation for a detailed analysis of discrimination processes. In particular: what kinds of discrimination cause the observed patterns of inequality and segregation? The project was successful to gather rich experimental data. Correspondence tests in six large German cities allowed to estimate discrimination rates migrants are faced with when they apply for rental housing. The complex and unique data gathered in the first funding period will be analyzed in depth linking context information on the local housing market, the apartment, the landlord/landlady and the applicants. Analyses will make use of geo-coding and spatial regression modeling. Hypotheses on taste-based and statistical discrimination will be tested and enriched by additional information on market conditions and the role of intermediaries (e.g. housing agents). Therefore, a short and final survey of housing agents is planned.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants