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Instructor/Advisor

Sara McPhee Lafkas, Ed.D., LICSW

Keywords

Housing challenges, Housing policies, Immigrants, Boston

Abstract

Boston is home to a large and diverse immigrant population, in 2021, with over 28% of residents being foreign-born (Harrington et al, 2024). However, rising housing costs and a severe shortage of affordable housing have disproportionately impacted immigrant families, particularly those with low incomes, limited legal status, and pending work permits (Harrington et al., 2024). Many immigrants face unique barriers to securing stable housing, including discrimination and a lack of established credit history (Wu, 2022).

This systematic literature review explores three key research questions: (1) How do Boston’s current affordable housing policies impact immigrant families? (2) What are the primary challenges immigrant families face in securing housing? (3) How can successful housing programs from other cities be adapted to address the needs of immigrants in Boston? By synthesizing existing research, this study shows policy gaps and identifies potential strategies to increase the accessibility of affordable housing for immigrant communities in Boston.

This research has critical implications for social work practice in Boston, particularly in advocacy and policy reform. Social workers can play a key role in addressing housing inequities by supporting immigrant-friendly policies, increasing outreach efforts, and collaborating with community organizations. By implementing equitable housing policies, Boston can better support its immigrant population, fostering economic stability and social integration.

Housing Challenges and Policy Gaps for Immigrant Families in Boston: A Systematic Literature Review

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