SANTA CLARA, Calif.,
June 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/
-- Realtor.com® today announced it is
collaborating with the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance in an effort to
help identify challenges and initiate positive change in the
housing industry. The organizations also unveiled the findings of a
new survey which reveals that LGBTQ discrimination in real estate
remains a problem, members of the LGBTQ community are less likely
to be homeowners, and neighbors who are accepting are key to
feeling welcome in a new place.
"Home means something different to everyone -- family, love,
security, belonging -- and Realtor.com® believes that no
matter the circumstance, every person deserves the opportunity to
create a home that reflects who they are and what is most important
to them," said Mickey Neuberger, CMO
for Realtor.com®. "The LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance is an
essential voice in the discussion of fair housing and we are
excited to work with them on these very important issues. We're
proud to stand with our LGBTQ+ community and are committed to
diversity, equity and inclusion in housing."
The report is based on an online survey of 1,538 LGBTQ community
members living in the U.S conducted by Community Marketing &
Insights, a 100% LGBTQ-owned and -operated research firm, from
May 14-21, 2021.
Discrimination in real estate remains a
problem
Executive Order 13988, enacted in Jan. 2021, aimed to prevent and combat
discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual
orientation. And while it was a significant step forward, housing
discrimination in the LGBTQ community continues to be an issue.
When survey respondents were asked if they have ever been
discriminated against when applying for a rental lease or buying a
home, almost 2 in 10 (17%) confirmed they had been discriminated
against, 12% weren't sure but suspected discrimination and 71% had
not experienced this. Discrimination was even more pronounced in
the transgender community, with 44% having experienced or suspected
discrimination. Fifty-two percent of respondents said this
discrimination took place in the last 5 years.
Of those who had experienced discrimination, 68% revealed it was
because of their sexual orientation, 33% attributed it to their
race or ethnicity and 25% said it was because of their gender or
gender identity. Some respondents reported that they had
experienced multiple forms of discrimination.
"Discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community in housing is real,
but we know the fear of discrimination is even greater," said
Ryan Weyandt, CEO of the LGBTQ+ Real
Estate Alliance. "Our community already must place an outsized
emphasis in identifying safe and accepting communities.
Discrimination and the fear of it is another burden. I don't
believe we are going to see the number of LGBTQ+ homeowners rise
without eliminating housing discrimination against us. It is an
unnecessary barrier that should be illegal as it is for other
diverse groups."
Weyandt pointed out that the Fair Housing Act, which was passed
in 1968, still not does protect Americans from discrimination
against sexual orientation and gender identity.
LGBTQ people less likely to be homeowners
According to
the survey, 49% of respondents own their primary residence,
compared to about 66% of the general population. This number was
even lower among transgender (35%), Black (29%) and Latinx (41%)
community members. While there are many factors that contribute to
this homeownership rate, economic and other forms of discrimination
can discourage homeownership. This type of discrimination is
especially prevalent among transgender and non-binary community
members.
City life remains popular among the community
Survey
results show that about half (49%) of the LGBTQ community currently
lives in a big or medium-sized city. Twenty seven percent of
respondents live in big cities, 22% in medium-sized cities, 13% in
small cities, 25% in the suburbs, and 13% in small towns and rural
areas. The study also found some differences by gender: Gay and bi+
men are more likely to live in big cities than lesbian and bi+
women, who live more evenly divided across community types.
Transgender and non-binary community members are the least likely
to be in big cities, making non-discrimination legal protections at
the state and national level even more important. Seventy percent
of survey takers said their city or town is "somewhat" to "very
LGBTQ-friendly." However, it's important to note there is likely to
be self-selection of inclusive areas.
When asked what type of environments respondents would consider
moving to in the next 10 years, city life remained popular with
medium-sized cities (50%) being favored over big cities (40%). Some
in the community were also interested in the suburbs (32%), small
towns (26%), and rural areas (17%). The responses were in line with
the established pattern of younger people being more interested in
cities and older people interested in less crowded environments.
Realtor.com® recently identified ten affordable
LGBTQ-friendly cities.
"Members of the LGBTQ community often seek out places where they
feel safe as well as welcome," said Realtor.com®'s
Deputy News Editor, Clare Trapasso.
"These tend to be places with visible and supported LGBTQ
communities, LGBTQ protections in place and where they believe they
are less likely to be discriminated against."
Lack of diversity holds LGBTQ members back from less urban
areas
When respondents living in cities were asked if there
was anything holding them back, the No. 1 response was a lack of
culture and entertainment in these less urban areas. The No. 2
reason was that these areas are not racially and ethnically diverse
and accepting and No. 3 was a preference to be in communities with
larger numbers or visible LGBTQ community members.
On the flip side, when all survey respondents were asked what is
most appealing about these areas, lower cost of living rose to the
top as the best attribute. It was followed by outdoor space and
larger yards, and then "better overall quality of life."
Acceptance is key when choosing a home and neighbors have the
most influence
Regardless of location, acceptance is a key
factor for respondents when it comes to deciding where to buy a
home. When asked whether they would purchase a home if they had
doubts about whether they would be accepted, the majority (55%)
said no, 32% said they were unsure, and only 12% said
yes.
So, what would make a LGBTQ member feel welcome? No. 1 response:
the people in the neighborhood. Seventy-six percent of respondents
said neighbors who seem friendly, open, and accepting of LGBTQ
neighbors would help make them feel welcome. The No. 2 attribute
was a neighborhood or town that is racially and ethnically diverse,
and No. 3 was local anti-discrimination laws that specifically
include sexual orientation and/or gender identity as protected
groups.
Survey results:
Do you feel that
you have ever been discriminated against when applying for a rental
lease or buying a home?
|
Yes
|
17%
|
No
|
71%
|
Not sure
|
12%
|
What type of
discrimination did you experience when applying for a rental lease
or buying a home (of those who experienced
discrimination)?
|
Because of my sexual
orientation
|
68%
|
Because of my gender
or gender identity
|
25%
|
Because of my race or
ethnicity
|
33%
|
Because of my
age
|
18%
|
Because of a
disability
|
10%
|
Other form of
discrimination
|
13%
|
How long ago was
the most recent time you experienced discrimination when applying
for a rental lease or buying a home?
|
Less than 1 year
ago
|
12%
|
1 to less than 3
years ago
|
21%
|
3 to less than 5
years ago
|
19%
|
5 to less than 10
years ago
|
16%
|
10 to less than 20
years ago
|
13%
|
20 years or more
ago
|
13%
|
Unsure
|
6%
|
What type of
environment best describes the primary place in which you live
now?
|
Urban / Big
city
|
27%
|
Urban / Medium-sized
city
|
22%
|
Small city
|
13%
|
Suburb
|
25%
|
Small town surrounded
by countryside
|
7%
|
Rural area
|
6%
|
How LGBTQ-friendly
do you consider the city or town in which you currently
live?
|
Very
LGBTQ-friendly
|
31%
|
Somewhat
LGBTQ-friendly
|
39%
|
Neutral
|
16%
|
Somewhat
LGBTQ-unfriendly
|
10%
|
Very
LGBTQ-unfriendly
|
3%
|
Unsure
|
1%
|
What type of
environments would you be interested in moving to in the next 10
years?
|
Urban / Big
city
|
40%
|
Urban / Medium-sized
city
|
50%
|
Small city
|
36%
|
Suburb
|
32%
|
Small town surrounded
by countryside
|
26%
|
Rural area
|
17%
|
Unsure
|
9%
|
Do any of the
following hold you back from moving or living in the suburbs, small
towns or rural areas?
|
I don't feel safe
living in less urban areas
|
25%
|
I worry that [my
family and] I won't be accepted in less urban areas
|
39%
|
I prefer to be in
communities with larger numbers or visible LGBTQ community
members
|
59%
|
I like participating
in LGBTQ events and they are not available in less urban
areas
|
40%
|
I feel these areas
are not racially and ethnically diverse and accepting
|
59%
|
I would not want to
live in areas without LGBTQ legal protections
|
57%
|
Lack of public
transit
|
38%
|
Lack of culture and
entertainment in less urban areas
|
62%
|
Fewer employment
opportunities / jobs
|
44%
|
I prefer to walk to
restaurants and shops
|
39%
|
Regardless of
where you live now, what qualities might encourage you to move to
(or continue to live in) the suburbs, smaller towns or rural
areas?
|
Better for people
that are married or in long-term relationships
|
16%
|
Better to raise
children
|
12%
|
Better schools for my
children
|
11%
|
Larger
homes
|
30%
|
Outdoor space at home
/ larger yards
|
59%
|
Fewer people than
live in urban areas
|
28%
|
Closer to parks and
outdoor recreation
|
39%
|
Able to work
remotely
|
39%
|
Lower cost of
living
|
72%
|
Better overall
quality of life
|
55%
|
Lower
crime
|
43%
|
To be closer to
family
|
23%
|
Having open land /
acreage surrounding my house
|
42%
|
Not sure
|
2%
|
None of the
above
|
5%
|
When searching for
a new neighborhood or place to live, which of the following LGBTQ
elements would be important to you or would make you feel
welcome?
|
Easy access to LGBTQ
groups, meet-ups and social functions
|
31%
|
Known as the "LGBTQ
neighborhood" within a city or town
|
29%
|
Known as an
"LGBTQ-friendly" city or town
|
61%
|
LGBTQ resident issues
and concerns are part of the local government's website
|
36%
|
LGBTQ people are
visible in the neighborhood, even if not in large
numbers
|
60%
|
The politics of the
people in the town or neighborhood are similar to my
beliefs
|
57%
|
Pride celebrations or
other LGBTQ events available to attend
|
37%
|
Neighbors who seem
friendly, open, and accepting of new LGBTQ neighbors
|
76%
|
You see rainbow flags
or other LGBTQ-supportive symbols on houses or in stores
|
61%
|
Neighborhood or town
that is racially and ethnically diverse
|
66%
|
A place that is close
to LGBTQ nightlife
|
22%
|
A place that has an
LGBTQ Community Center or other LGBTQ-specific social service
agencies
|
28%
|
Local
anti-discrimination laws that specifically include sexual
orientation and/or gender identity as protected groups
|
65%
|
Methodology: In May of 2021, Realtor.com®
worked with Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) to conduct a
national quantitative research study among the LGBTQ community. The
10-minute online survey was conducted May
14-21, 2021. The panel used for the research was a random
sample of CMI's proprietary research panel of 50,000 LGBTQ
community members in the United
States. The panel was developed over a 20-year period
through continuing partnerships with more than 300 LGBTQ
publications, websites, blogs, social media, apps, influencers,
events, and organizations. A total of 1,538 LGBTQ community members
living in the United States
participated in the research. The report represents responses from
618 cisgender gay/bi+ men, 618 cisgender lesbian/bi+ women and an
oversample of 302 transgender and non-binary participants.
Participants were aged 18 to 74. Participation was from all 50
states, Washington, DC and
Puerto Rico. See participant
profile for more information.
About Realtor.com®
Realtor.com®
makes buying, selling, renting and living in homes easier and more
rewarding for everyone. Realtor.com® pioneered the world
of digital real estate more than 20 years ago, and today through
its website and mobile apps is a trusted source for the
information, tools and professional expertise that help people move
confidently through every step of their home journey. Using
proprietary data science and machine learning technology,
Realtor.com® pairs buyers and sellers with local agents
in their market, helping take the guesswork out of buying and
selling a home. For professionals, Realtor.com® is a
trusted provider of consumer connections and branding solutions
that help them succeed in today's on-demand world.
Realtor.com® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS,
NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc. under a perpetual
license from the National Association of REALTORS®. For more
information, visit Realtor.com®.
About LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance
The LGBTQ+ Real
Estate Alliance is a 501(c)6 non-profit dedicated to empowering the
LGBTQ+ community on the path to homeownership as we also advocate
on behalf of the community on housing issues. The Alliance, founded
in June 2020, is an all-inclusive organization that works to
improve the professional lives of its members through a
public-facing Alliance Referral Community. The Alliance began
accepting members in October 2020 and has more than 50 chapters in
the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information visit
realestatealliance.org.
Media Contact
nicole.murphy@move.com
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