lucadelladora – A new report from the Resolution Foundation has revealed that ethnic minority families spend a larger portion of their income on housing than white British households, despite living in more overcrowded and substandard homes.
The study attributes this disparity to lower homeownership rates among ethnic minority families, higher rental costs, and discrimination in the housing market. Many ethnic minority households also pay more to remain within their local communities, where housing demand often drives up costs.
The report highlights that ethnic minority adults are more likely to live in London and the South East. The UK’s most expensive housing regions. However, housing challenges vary across different ethnic groups. Black, Bangladeshi, and Arab families face the worst conditions, while Indian and Chinese households tend to fare better.
Bangladeshi and Arab adults allocate 23% and 26% of their household income to housing. More than twice the 11% spent by white British adults. Researchers warn that these disparities highlight ongoing structural inequalities. Calling for stronger policies to ensure fair access to affordable and quality housing.
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Ethnic Minority Families Face Higher Housing Costs and Poorer Living Conditions, Study Reveals
Ethnic minority families in the UK are paying more for housing while experiencing worse living conditions compared to white British households, according to a new report from the Resolution Foundation.
The study found that homeownership rates are significantly lower among ethnic minority adults. While 72% of white British adults own their homes—either outright or through a mortgage—only 35% of Black African adults and 31% of Arab adults are homeowners. This lower rate of ownership forces many ethnic minority families into costly and insecure rental housing. Making them more vulnerable to rising rents and unstable living conditions.
The report describes Arab and Black adults as being at the sharpest end of Britain’s housing crisis. Facing multiple disadvantages in affordability, private renting insecurity, poor quality, and discrimination from both landlords and neighbors.
Crucially, ethnic minority adults are not paying more for better homes. Instead, they are more likely to live in overcrowded. Substandard housing with higher rates of dampness and inadequate access to outdoor space. The study found that Bangladeshi and Black African households are nearly three times more likely than white British households to live in damp housing, despite spending twice as much of their income on housing costs.
The report calls for urgent policy interventions to address housing inequality, affordability, and discrimination, ensuring that all communities have equal access to safe, secure, and affordable homes.
Pay More Despite Higher Incomes
A new Resolution Foundation report reveals that ethnic minority families in the UK spend a higher share of their income on housing, even when they earn more. Researchers found that Chinese adults, who typically have higher earnings. Still allocate a larger proportion of their salary to housing costs compared to their white British counterparts.
The study suggests that racial and ethnic discrimination may contribute to this disparity. A separate study by Generation Rent found that ethnic minority renters face more hostility from landlords and letting agents than white British or Irish tenants.
Additionally, many ethnic minority families prioritize staying in their local communities. Leading them to pay higher rents or mortgages to remain in familiar neighborhoods. This pattern is particularly strong among Arab, Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi households, who often choose to invest more in staying close to cultural and social networks.
The report also highlights a troubling trend: Black African, Black Caribbean, and Arab adults are three times more likely to experience homelessness or face the threat of eviction than white British adults.
Camron Aref-Adib, an economist at the Resolution Foundation, emphasized the need for urgent action. “Ethnic minorities are spending a higher share of their income just to keep a roof over their heads,” he said.
The findings call for stronger policies to combat discrimination, improve access to affordable housing, and support communities facing economic hardship.
