Abstract:

This paper examines the housing discrimination towards the Syrian population living in Turkey under temporary protection status. Since the commencement of the civil war, the Syrian migration to Turkey has transformed numerous cities across the country into varying degrees of Syrian habitation. The Turkish policymakers initially designated Syrian immigrants as “guests”, claiming that their settlement in Turkey was exceptional and would be transitory. However, this phenomenon has evolved into a lasting situation. Inequalities within the housing sector amplify the challenges faced by immigrants in establishing themselves and adapting to their host country. Moreover, the selection of a living locale carries significant importance, influencing the accessibility of local public services and engagement in the labor market. The paper specifically focuses on the migrants’ experience of the initial housing search and theinstances of bias in the rental housing market. It is founded upon empirical data derived from a field experiment conducted as part of the research project titled “From Guests to City Dwellers: The Housing Experience of Syrians in Istanbul” Following data collection, a comprehensive three-phase mixed methods research was conducted. In alignment with existing literature, the field experiment was executed employing a sample that accurately represents the rental housing market in Istanbul, the city harboring the highest population of Syrian residents. Findings reveal a stark discrepancy, with approximately 35% of housing tour requests made by Syrians for properties directly managed by landlords being declined, in contrast to amere 2% rejection rate for the local population. This disparity not only escalates the housing costs for Syrians due to the limited access to available properties in the rental housing market but also contributes to an uneven spatial distribution of Syrians across Istanbul’s districts.

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