Discrimination in access to rental housing for same-sex couples in Santiago, Chile

Discrimination in housing markets occurs when equally qualified people are treated differently because they are members of a minority group (Ondrich et al.,1999). These groups can be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) individuals, which face several forms of discrimination generated by society, institutions, or even relatives. The progress, integration, and protection of minority groups in society have been uneven globally since each region must deal with its cultural heritage and moral concepts. In general, the countries of the Global North are the ones that take the lead in these terms, while in the Global South, countries like Chile are slowly showing examples of progress and protection of fundamental rights, such as the right to adequate housing, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. Given the above, this study analyzes the possible differences in treatment in the city of Santiago, Chile, for equally qualified people but who, on the one hand, belong to a minority group, such as lesbian and gay-male couples, and on the other, heterosexual couples in the process of searching for rental housing. For this purpose, 520 remote tests were carried out in June 2022, corresponding to 260 different requests for information to publications of apartments available for rent through the Chilean home search website PortalInmobiliario.cl. The investigative process uses the matched pair methodology through fictitious couples representing the focal group (gay-male couples and lesbian couples) and the control group (heterosexual couples). The research found that the experience in the rental housing search process for same-sex couples is less favorable than for heterosexual couples. The results indicate that gays and lesbians have 6.7% less likely to be invited by the housing provider to visit an apartment despite testers being equally qualified as the control group. The results show even less favorable treatment for lesbian couples. Despite having one of the legal, political, and social frameworks that most protect sexual minorities in the region, Chile fails to generate control mechanisms to aim discriminated groups in access to their fundamental rights, such as access to housing. This study's contribution is to create an initial discussion regarding the discrimination experienced by same-sex couples in access to rental housing. In addition, the LGBT community can be constantly violated in their fundamental rights, such as access to housing, either by the State with an insufficient social program or by the private world, which sometimes mobilizes based on prejudice. Furthermore, the study shows the need to complement laws and public policies with political action and support from civil society. In addition to establishing criteria beyond an economic component, rather than identity, whether sexual, religious, cultural, etc., various groups are exposed and violated.