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Ethnic Identity and Immigrant Homeownership

Author

Listed:
  • Amelie F. Constant

    (DIW DC, George Washington University, 1800 K Street, NW, Suite 716, Washington, DC 20006, USA, and IZA, Bonn, Germany, constant@diwdc.org)

  • Rowan Roberts

    (IZA, Bonn, Germany, roberts@iza.org)

  • Klaus F. Zimmermann

    (IZA, Bonn, Bonn University, Schaumburg-Lippe-Str., 5-9 Bonn, 53113, Germany, and DIW, Berlin, Germany, Zimmermann@iza.org)

Abstract

Immigrants are much less likely to own their homes than natives, even after controlling for a broad range of life-cycle and socioeconomic characteristics and housing market conditions. This paper extends the analysis of immigrant housing tenure choice by explicitly accounting for ethnic identity as a potential influence on the homeowner-ship decision, using a two-dimensional composite index of ethnic identity that incorporates attachments to both origin and host cultures. In the case of Germany, the evidence suggests that immigrants with a stronger commitment to the host country are more likely to achieve homeownership for a given set of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, regardless of their level of attachment to their home country.

Suggested Citation

  • Amelie F. Constant & Rowan Roberts & Klaus F. Zimmermann, 2009. "Ethnic Identity and Immigrant Homeownership," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 46(9), pages 1879-1898, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:46:y:2009:i:9:p:1879-1898
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098009106022
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R21 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Housing Demand
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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