Housing discrimination and minorities in European cities: the Catalan Right to Housing Act 2007
International Journal of Law in the Built Environment
ISSN: 1756-1450
Article publication date: 13 July 2010
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to consider, from a legal perspective, the problem of housing discrimination which has become an issue of increasing importance in Spanish cities, as in other European cities, especially in the light of recent waves of immigration.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper analyzes the various types of housing discrimination and explains what legal reactions are available under European, Spanish and Catalan Law.
Findings
The Catalan Right to Housing Act 2007 represents one of the first and most complete European legal reactions against housing discrimination. It includes several articles defining direct and indirect discrimination, harassment (which is considered a form of discrimination) and positive action. This Act must be understood as a national and sectorial application of the European Union (EU) anti‐discrimination directives, specifically the Racial Equality Directive (2000/43/EC).
Practical implications
The paper shows how EU anti‐discrimination directives can be transposed into the domain of housing using a national example.
Originality/value
Because Catalan Law is one of the first and most complete national legislations using European techniques to fight against housing discrimination, it could be used as an inspiration for future new national legislations.
Keywords
Citation
Ponce, J. (2010), "Housing discrimination and minorities in European cities: the Catalan Right to Housing Act 2007", International Journal of Law in the Built Environment, Vol. 2 No. 2, pp. 138-156. https://doi.org/10.1108/17561451011058780
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited