«Eie først», det betyr nytt liv! Flyktningfamiliers erfaringer med å gå fra å leie til å eie bolig

Abstract

The proportion of immigrants living in poverty in Norway is about three times higher than in the rest of the population. Many immigrants have problems with getting a mortgage in a normal bank to buy a home. The aim of this study was to investigate refugee families’ experiences with buying housing through the “Own First” program of the Norwegian State Housing Bank. We interviewed in-depth six immigrant families with children (N= 12). To buy a home with low requirements for equity resulted in better quality of life and integration in the Norwegian society and increased motivation for work and education. Children were able to grow up in stable living conditions. The help from the municipality and the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration was not always satisfactory. Buying a home through a mortgage with low requirements for equity seems to contribute positively to quality of life and integration among refugees and may thus prevent poverty and social inequity.