Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Government Study Finds Widespread Racism in Germany’s Housing Market

DeZIM’s mixed‑methods report documents systemic barriers that disadvantage Black and Muslim residents, bolstering calls for stronger protections.

Overview

  • The federally commissioned National Discrimination and Racism Monitor surveyed about 9,500 people between August 2024 and January 2025.
  • An audit and modeled example show lower invitation rates for racially marked applicants, including a 27% non‑invitation risk for a Muslim woman versus 8% for a comparable applicant.
  • Field tests with identical applications found invitations for German‑sounding names at roughly 22% compared with 16% for names linked to the Middle East, Turkey or North Africa.
  • Racially marked renters more often face precarious terms and housing‑cost poverty, including fixed‑term contracts at 12% versus 3% and post‑rent poverty risk at 36% versus 19%.
  • Researchers urge reform of the General Equal Treatment Act, nationwide discrimination monitoring, more non‑profit housing and stronger rent regulation, with Greens and Left lawmakers echoing calls but no legislation yet.