Same-sex couples encounter more barriers when seeking senior housing, study finds

[DonViejo]

By Tara Bahrampour, Published: February 25 | Updated: Wednesday, February 26, 12:01 AM

Gay, lesbian and bisexual couples seeking senior housing receive less favorable quotes on pricing, availability, and amenities than heterosexual couples, according to a report released Wednesday by the Equal Rights Center in Washington.

In a model similar to studies involving people of different racial and ethnic origins, testers posing last year as members of straight or gay couples in their 60s and 70s called age-restricted housing facilities in 10 states to inquire about living there. According to the report, “Opening Doors: An Investigation of Barriers to Senior Housing for Same-Sex Couples,” in 48 percent of the 200 tests, the LGB tester with a same-sex spouse encountered at least one type of adverse differential treatment compared with the heterosexual tester with an opposite-sex spouse.

The discrimination included heterosexual testers being quoted lower rates for rents, deposits, and fees or being told about the availability of more units than LGB testers were told about. The LGB testers were also offered fewer incentives to rent and were presented with more application requirements or were steered away from the units they had requested, even though members of this group presented a slightly better financial profile than the heterosexual “couples” matched with them.

In some states, the level of discrimination correlated strongly with whether the state has enacted legislation against same-sex discrimination. For example, in Arizona, which has no such legislation and does not recognize same-sex marriages, 80 percent of LGB testers experienced at least one kind of adverse treatment, and 15 percent experienced more than one form. In Washington state, which prohibits discrimination in housing based on sexual orientation and does recognize same-sex marriage, 30 percent of LGB testers experienced at least one kind of adverse treatment and 5 percent experienced more than one form.

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[irisblue]

1. thanks for finding this DV

I am starting to think about/do preliminary research on this issue.

[theHandpuppet]

2. I don't know about where y'all live

But around here the retirement communities call themselves "faith based", IOW, they are owned and operated as part of religious-affiliated businesses. No LGBTs allowed. It is a concern, as is finding a place we can be buried together after we're gone.

[theHandpuppet]

3. I should add...

... this is another vile aspect of these "religious liberty" bills. Should they pass, you may not be able to find senior housing and God forbid, not even a place where you or your loved one could be buried.