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Homeownership Statistics in the LGBTQ+ Community

By Missouri REALTORS posted 06-29-2021 10:17 AM

  

Couple moving into new house

The LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance—an organization of influential real estate professionals, allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community—released a report in collaboration with Freddie Mac, The Williams Institute, Alliance Members and more on housing discrimination. The report is titled “How Discrimination Impacts the LGBTQ+ Community on the Journey to Homeownership and Beyond.”

It was conducted in 2020 and sheds an important light on how the LGBTQ+ community fares when it comes to renting, buying and selling homes. Because sexual orientation and gender identity are not protected under the Fair Housing Act, discrimination against the community remains prevalent. In fact, 27 states do not offer any housing protections for LGBTQ+ people. This includes the state of Missouri.

As REALTORS® and proprietors of the American Dream of homeownership, it’s important to familiarize oneself with the reality of housing discriminatin in this state and beyond. In honor of Pride Month, we want to share some of the statistics from the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance’s report. When REALTORS® take the time to educate themselves and prioritize inclusive best practices, they make this industry and the state of Missouri a better, safer place to live.

According to surveyed LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance members:

  • 13.8% of Alliance members reported they signed legal forms (mortgage, purchase agreement, title, etc.) that did not adequately represent their life experience.
  • 10.6% experienced a real estate professional discriminating against them in the renting/home buying process.
  • 5.3% experienced a landlord refuse to rent to them.
  • 5.2% found that a seller discriminated against them. 

According to data from the LGBT Aging Center:

  • 19% of transgender adult respondents were refused a home or apartment.
  • 11% of transgender adults were evicted because of their gender identity or expression.

According to research conducted by the Williams Institute:

  • 19.1% of LGBTQ+ adults decided where to live out of fear of discrimination. 49.6% of LGBTQ+ adults who had experienced discrimination in the past year made that decision to avoid stigma.
  • 89.3% of LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance members surveyed reported that they find it at least somewhat important to live in an LGBTQ+ friendly community.
  • 11.7% of LGBTQ+ adults moved away from a rural area.
  • 6.1% of LGBTQ+ adults moved away from an urban area.
  • 16.8% of LGBTQ+ adults moved away from family to avoid discrimination.
  • 40% of LGBTQ+ couples are concerned about raising a family in a new community.

    In regard to the intersectionality of identities, the University of Chicago discovered:

    • LGBTQ+ people of color are at an even greater risk of experiencing housing discrimination compared to white LGBTQ+ individuals. (19.7% vs. 9.4%)

    According to a report conducted by Freddie Mac, “The LGBTQ homeownership rate is 49%, far below the homeownership rate of 64% for the general population.” Fear of discrimination from sellers, REALTORS® and future neighbors is a prominent concern in the home buying process for the LGBTQ+ community. It’s what is holding them back from renting or owning a home. That much is clear.

    How can we help make the American Dream of homeownership an accessible, inclusive one in the state of Missouri? Our local chapter of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, dedicated to advocating, elevating and celebrating the community, is a fantastic place to start.

    According to the Missouri Alliance Chapter president, Hank Vogt, “Missouri REALTORS® has become one of the first state REALTOR® groups to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance to promote homeownership within the LGBTQ+ community. This agreement calls for joint efforts to share with real estate professionals the challenges LGBTQ+ homebuyers face, including discrimination, on their journey to homeownership, while promoting an understanding of the cultural nuances involved in working closely with the diverse LGBTQ+ community.”

    The Missouri Alliance educates local REALTOR® groups through regular chapter meetings and educational events in conjunction with business conferences, as well as social events throughout Missouri.

    To get involved with the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance or to learn more about additional statistics on housing discrimination and homeownership in the LGBTQ+ community, check out the entire report.

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