Inclusive or Elusive Housing? Homeownership among Muslims in Norway

Abstract

Norway has a unique political focus on homeownership as a key to welfare and happiness. “Eierlinja” in Norwegian housing policy aims for a very high rate of homeownership leading to social integration of the communities enabling them as active citizens. Paradoxically, Muslim immigrants are 43%-93% less likely to own a house compared with non-immigrants, resulting in a potential increase in marginalisation of the groups who do not own their own home. To bridge this gap, we advocate a two-dimensional intervention. First, policy intervention that helps these communities to attain homeownership and, second, policy intervention that helps improve their social outcomes.