When homes are lost: Researching the geographical and social consequences of displacement

When rents rise sharply following renovations, a complex chain of events is set in motion—a process that requires in-depth research and a combination of methods to fully understand.

The study, recently published in the International Journal for Urban and Regional Research, focuses on two renovated rental housing areas in Uppsala. Surprisingly, it shows that it is mainly low-income tenants who remain in the area despite increased housing costs. At the same time, the area's socioeconomic status does not necessarily change, even as rents rise and tenant turnover increases. Higher-income residents move out, while new low-income residents move in.

– Displacement means that marginalized groups lose their homes as cities transform and housing costs rise. Studying this phenomenon is challenging and has been described by researchers as ‘researching the invisible.’ The process is complex, unfolds over time, and affects both individuals and entire neighborhoods. When neighbors move away, social dynamics shift, relationships are broken, and the sense of security decreases as people lose control over their housing situation, says Åse Richard, one of the researchers behind the study.

The common question—"How many have moved?"—provides an oversimplified picture that underestimates both the extent of displacement and its social consequences. By using a "dialectical mixed-method approach," combining statistical analysis with qualitative research, the researchers have highlighted aspects of displacement that have previously been overlooked.

– The study shows that rent-increasing renovations lead to higher tenant turnover but also increased internal relocation within the area. Older residents, single mothers, and people with immigrant backgrounds develop different strategies to stay. Some downsize to smaller apartments, others take in lodgers—leading to increased overcrowding, says Åse Richard.

Those who manage to stay report that even a short move within the neighborhood can lead to increased loneliness and isolation. Additionally, a high prevalence of short-term rental contracts creates insecurity in the area for years before renovations even begin.

Through close dialogue throughout the research process, the team combined statistical methods with place-based knowledge and ethnographic studies, making the multifaceted social consequences of displacement more visible.

The study, now published in the International Journal for Urban and Regional Research, offers new insights into the ongoing debate on housing policy and just urban development.