Perth, March 10: A new study has found racial discrimination remains widespread in Victoria’s rental market, with 69 per cent of surveyed renters reporting direct experiences of racism when trying to secure housing.
The research, conducted by University of Melbourne researchers in partnership with Tenants Victoria, found that 61 per cent of respondents were denied housing or treated less favourably because of their racial or ethnic background.
Tenants Victoria chief executive Jennifer Beveridge said the findings revealed the severe human cost of discrimination in the rental system.
“This research gives shocking insight into the damaging impacts of rental racism that’s putting families at risk of homelessness, destroying mental health, and leaving lasting scars,” said Tenants Victoria CEO Jennifer Beveridge.
“When a mother and her children are driving around homeless for two months because agents won’t even return her calls, we have a system in crisis.”
The study found most discrimination in the sample came from estate agents and property managers, accounting for 60 per cent of reported incidents. Participants described being told to “go back to your own country”, being rejected because of their names, and being denied entry during inspections.
In one case, a participant said they were repeatedly ignored by an agent after speaking with an accent. When a friend with an Australian accent called about the same property, an inspection was immediately offered.
The report also found 67 per cent of participants said their health and wellbeing had worsened because of rental racism, while 53 per cent said they were required to meet higher standards when applying for a rental.
Lead researcher Dr Erika Martino said the discrimination outlined in the report had serious consequences for migrant communities trying to establish stable lives in Australia.
“The discrimination and systemic racism described in our report has damaging consequences, creating barriers to new migrants’ ability to build stable lives in Australia,” said Dr Erika Martino, lead researcher from the University of Melbourne.
“People are experiencing hypervigilance, fear, stress, anxiety and depression. The mental health costs of racism are substantial and reverberate through our workplaces and community. We need to acknowledge, as the title of the report suggests, that ‘Shelter is a dignity’ that everyone deserves.”
According to the research, families are being pushed to offer six months’ rent in advance, pay above advertised prices, or accept poor-quality housing with mould and pest infestations in order to secure a home.
The report found 82 per cent of respondents identified discrimination as a significant problem in rental housing and recommended more support for multicultural housing workers, along with improved training, programs and standards across the real estate industry.
“The Victorian Government’s Anti-Racism Strategy recognises housing discrimination as a key barrier for multicultural communities,” Ms Beveridge said.
“Now it’s time to back those words with action and funding for more multicultural housing workers. Every day we delay, more families face homelessness and trauma.”
The research involved 144 survey respondents and five focus groups of Victorian renters from diverse backgrounds, including Pakistani, Middle Eastern, Hazara, Southeast Asian and South Sudanese communities.
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