Understanding housing market challenges and barriers for the integration of forced migrants: a cross-European perspective

Abstract This paper explores the challenges and barriers of forced migrants at the nexus of housing and social integration, presenting the outcomes of an international and interdisciplinary collaboration funded by the JPI Urban Europe programme. Research includes the case study cities Leipzig, Lund, Riga, and Vienna, utilizing primary and secondary data in a transdisciplinary process involving theoretical discussions and urban living labs with researchers, practitioners, and civic society actors. While empirical contexts vary between cities, the persona method with vignettes adds new knowledge for a nuanced understanding. The project builds on existing expertise and broader migration studies, ensuring context-sensitivity in understanding place-based barriers to integration. It highlights cross-case similarities and significant differences affecting individual integration in European cities.