Women have fewer opportunities than men to secure housing

Women and men in Sweden face unequal conditions in the housing market, primarily due to the persistent gender income gap. The housing market is not the root of gender inequality, but it amplifies it.

Our latest report shows that this disparity reinforces economic inequality and can limit women’s ability to live independently and safely – especially in cases of intimate partner violence.

Women, particularly single mothers and young women, are more likely to depend on rental housing and spend a greater share of their income on housing costs. Many also rely on a partner to access housing, which can make it harder to leave a relationship. For women subjected to violence, this dependency can become a matter of life or death.

The report identifies a clear gap: gender perspectives are largely missing in housing policy proposals and investigations. This can result in unintended consequences, where reforms that appear neutral in fact worsen gender inequality.

In the report, we call for for:

• Gender mainstreaming in housing policy
• Improved data on women’s housing ownership
• Measures to reduce entry barriers to the rental market
• Prioritised access to permanent housing for vulnerable groups.

Read more

The report Ett inneboende jämställdhetsproblem is available in Swedish, including a summary in English.