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A recent SORA research project commissioned by the Ombud for Equal Treatment has shed light on a significant issue within Austria's real estate market: the presence of racism and discrimination. The study highlights a troubling trend where individuals with names or accents that are perceived as foreign are substantially less likely to be offered the opportunity to view apartments when compared to those with names typically associated with Austria.
This investigation has brought to the forefront a concerning pattern of discrimination rooted in ethnicity. In this experiment, two individuals with fabricated backgrounds reached out to 157 housing advertisements across various Austrian cities. Surprisingly, "Muhammad Asif" was granted a viewing appointment only 50% of the time, while "Michael Gruber" received an appointment in every instance. Remarkably, both individuals presented themselves as middle-aged, single, employed in stable technical positions, and earning substantial incomes.
According to ORF's report, the Diakonie has raised concerns about discrimination occurring not only in the private housing market but also within municipal and cooperative housing sectors. Families with children are particularly impacted by this issue.
While the Austrian Equal Treatment Act prohibits housing discrimination based on gender or ethnicity, this protection is not as extensive as what is found in labour law. Unfortunately, discrimination based on religion, ideology, or sexual orientation is not legally recognized as discriminatory in the housing sector, despite being considered ethically questionable.
To address these problems in the future, proposed solutions include establishing standards to ensure non-discriminatory housing placement within the real estate industry and encouraging landlords to familiarize themselves with the Equal Treatment Act while composing housing advertisements in inclusive, non-discriminatory language.
The rising volume of individuals reaching out to the Ombud for Equal Treatment underscores the pressing nature of housing market discrimination. This issue demands immediate attention, and it's imperative that all parties collaborate to guarantee equal housing opportunities for everyone, regardless of their name, background, or accent.
ORF, which stands for Österreichischer Rundfunk, is the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation. It is the country's national public service broadcaster, responsible for providing television and radio programming, including news, entertainment, and cultural content, to the Austrian public. ORF plays a crucial role in informing and entertaining the people of Austria and is funded through television license fees as well as advertising revenue.
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