Discrimination in the rental housing market in the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

ABSTRACT Regardless of the anti-discrimination policies in place, discrimination is still prevalent within the rental housing market. This poses some considerable challenges to potential accommodation seekers. Due to discrimination, securing accommodation by minority groups has become a major challenge as they are most likely to be discriminated against. This study, therefore, sought to assess discrimination in the housing rental market in the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana. Spatially, four communities namely, Nkwabeng, Penkwase, New Town/Tonsuom Estate and Sunyani Area 4 were purposively selected within the Sunyani Municipality for the study. Data was gathered from 173 landlords and 242 tenants using questionnaires and analysed using probit. The probit model showed that household size, ethnicity, marital status, gender, nationality, disability and age of tenants were the main discriminatory factors. Due to the high demand for housing facilities, there is a likelihood for property owners to discriminate against minority groups. Therefore, it is recommended that the government explores avenues to expand public housing delivery through its affordable housing projects to help address the overt or covert practice of discrimination.