Balancing Priorities: Navigating Cost and Affordability in the Secondary Relocation Decisions of Immigrants and Resettled Refugees

Background and Purpose: This qualitative study examined immigrants’ and refugees’ secondary relocation choices, focusing on the challenges disadvantaged households face due to uncoordinated affordable housing and transportation system planning. The study aimed to understand the prioritization of factors influencing relocation decisions and improve support for immigrants and refugees navigating housing choices.

Method: Data was collected from a diverse population of 25 immigrants and refugees in a southwestern U.S. urban community clinic using semi-structured interviews. Participants were selected based on eligibility criteria, including age, immigration or refugee status, and recent or planned relocation. Interviews explored factors influencing relocation decisions, such as transit options, housing costs, access to healthcare, safety, education, employment, and community cohesion. The study provided interpreters when necessary. Conventional content analysis was conducted to allow researchers to immerse themselves in the data without preconceived categories. Codes were derived directly from the interview transcripts, and the research team organized these codes into categories. MAXQDA software was then used to re-code the transcripts and identify themes related to the research objectives, with exemplar quotes selected to support and illustrate the identified themes.

Results: Three major themes emerged, highlighting cost and affordability as central to immigrants’ and refugees’ secondary mobility decisions. The first theme, "The Multiple Dimensions of Home," focused on the impact of cost and affordability on home perspectives, including its physical and emotional aspects, social and relational significance, and challenges. Sub-themes, all considerably influenced by affordability, included personalization of living space, home as a relational space, home as a structural place, and the cost of home. The second theme, "The Neighborhood Experience," emphasized the importance of neighborhood safety, quiet environments, proximity to health-promoting amenities like green spaces and walking trails, and commuting convenience. Findings showed affordability constraints often limited choices, leading to compromises on these factors for more affordable housing. The third theme, "Barriers and Bridges to Opportunity," underscored the importance of access to essential resources in secondary location decisions, such as work and job opportunities, education, shopping, healthcare, and public transportation. Cost barriers often limited access to these resources, further restricting relocation choices. Collectively, these themes provided a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing immigrants' and refugees' relocation choices.

Conclusions and Implications: The findings reveal that immigrants and refugees consider multiple dimensions of home, neighborhood experiences, and access to essential resources when making relocation decisions. However, economic constraints often limit their choices, requiring trade-offs between important factors. These insights underscore the need to address the unique challenges immigrants and refugees face in social work research, practice, and policy. By recognizing these constraints, practitioners and policymakers can develop targeted strategies to support these populations in achieving stable and fulfilling living situations. Potential strategies include increasing affordable housing, enhancing access to essential resources, and fostering inclusive neighborhoods that provide a sense of belonging and safety.