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Has research found evidence of housing discrimination against LGBTQ individuals and couples?

Friday, June 26, 2020
By Claire Zimmerman
YES

Studies have found find measurable disparities in rents and borrowing costs for some LGBTQ individuals and couples. A 2017 study of rental markets in three cities found that rents quoted to gay males averaged $272 yearly more than rents quoted to heterosexual males. A similarly structured 2014 study across 10 states of seniors seeking housing found discrimination of various types against same-sex couples, with at least 48% encountering at least one instance of "adverse treatment"--including being offered fewer options, higher fees or rents or not being offered similar incentives.

Research published in 2017 based on 15 years of nationwide mortgage data found that "potentially homosexual" mortgage applicants were approved at lower rates, and that when approved lending rates were up to 0.2% higher.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
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