Research published in *Contemporary Economic Policy* reveals that certain renter protection policies may inadvertently lead to increased discrimination against minority groups. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of St. Thomas, specifically examined a policy enacted in Minneapolis that restricts landlords from using background checks, eviction histories, and credit scores when evaluating rental applications.
The investigation involved submitting fictitious email inquiries to rental listings, manipulating names to reflect perceived race and ethnicity. The results indicated that following the implementation of the policy, discrimination against African American and Somali American men significantly increased compared to a similar population in St. Paul, where the policy was not enforced.
Before the policy took effect, landlords frequently sought specific credit scores and had strict criteria regarding criminal histories. After the new regulations were established, instances of such requirements fell dramatically. Despite this positive trend, the study found that limiting the information available to landlords led to a reliance on stereotypes, which ultimately heightened discrimination against applicants from minority backgrounds.
In many cases, the landlords did not respond to inquiries from those identified as African American or Somali American. The study highlights a troubling paradox: while the intentions behind the Minneapolis policy aimed to enhance access to rental housing for individuals with criminal records or poor credit histories, it seems to have unintentionally fostered an environment of increased bias based on race and ethnicity.
According to Deborah Rho, the study’s corresponding author, “Policymakers in Minneapolis aimed to expand access to rental housing for individuals previously excluded due to criminal records, credit history, or income. Our research suggests that while the policy may have lowered these specific barriers, limiting the information available to landlords increased discrimination based on race and ethnicity.”
The findings of this study raise critical questions for policymakers and housing advocates. As cities consider renter protection measures, the unintended consequences must be carefully examined to ensure that such policies do not perpetuate discrimination against the very groups they aim to assist.
For further details, the research article titled “The Impact of Renter Protection Policies on Rental Housing Discrimination” can be accessed in *Contemporary Economic Policy*.
