How Rental Property Management Shapes Social and Economic Inequality

Renters are spending increasing proportions of their incomes on rent and their constrained rental options often expose them to exploitative landlords and substandard housing. However, the experiences of American Indian (AI)/Alaska Native (AN) and Hispanic renters outside of large cities have not been studied. Sociologies Elizabeth Krover-Glenn, Junia Howell, and Ellen M. Whitehead will examine the extent to which rental property management practices differ across residents, neighborhoods, and cities. The researchers will investigate the following questions using Census data, interviews, and ethnographies: 1) To what extent do management practices vary by renter, property, neighborhood, and metropolitan area characteristics? 2) To what extent does variation in management practices influence renter and neighborhood inequality? 3) How do AI/AN, Black, Hispanic, and White renters across the income spectrum perceive and experience property management in their everyday lives? 4) How do property managers and landlords shape renter housing experiences and socioeconomic inequality?