Immigration and housing in the Republic of Ireland

Citation

Serpa R (2017) Immigration and housing in the Republic of Ireland. Housing Studies, 32 (1), pp. 118-119. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673037.2016.1240403

Abstract
First paragraph: In his contribution to the Manchester University Press’ Irish Society series, Brian Portley offers a comprehensive analysis of migrants’ housing experiences in Ireland. Using a ‘housing pathways’ approach, he unpicks several underdeveloped research areas concerning migrant housing. Specific attention is given to the policy implications of migrants’ housing pathways by focussing on the outcome of housing, labour and immigration systems and how these structures influence migrants’ opportunities and decisions. Migrant reactions to public discourses on immigration and housing are also explored. Portley accomplishes these ambitious aims through 30 qualitative interviews with a diverse sample of recently arrived migrants in inner-city, town and small town locations in Ireland. These participants include economic migrants from the European Union and asylum seekers from African nations, many of which are single female households. An additional 45 interviews with stakeholders from local government, migrant rights organisations and the real estate industry are used to complement migrants’ own perspectives. Policy analysis and a review of housing and immigration statistics provide a helpful backdrop to this qualitative study of migrant housing.

Journal
Housing Studies: Volume 32, Issue 1