Female-Led Housing Pathways- Women from Ukraine

Background: The conflict in Ukraine has caused a humanitarian crisis, displacing millions, including around 6.3 million refugees by early 2025, primarily in Germany. Many are women heading households, facing challenges in securing housing and meeting family needs. Their experiences differ based on age, socioeconomic status, and education, affecting their integration. Issues such as limited resources, unfamiliar legal systems, and complicated housing markets lead to unstable living conditions and reliance on temporary aid. This study examines the housing experiences of female Ukrainian refugees in Munich, highlighting their challenges and systemic factors that hinder stable housing and contribute to broader discussions on refugee integration and support strategies.

Methods: This study analyzes the housing pathways of female Ukrainian refugees through qualitative research with 33 women in Munich from July to September 2024. Ethical approval was obtained before starting. Semi-structured interviews conducted in Russian or Ukrainian allowed participants to share unique housing experiences. A research assistant translated and edited the transcripts for analysis using MAXQDA Analytics Pro. The analysis began with a deductively developed coding structure, while inductive coding revealed hidden themes. Employing Clapham’s (2002) housing pathways framework and Aigner’s (2019) adapted themes, the study fills literary gaps concerning housing experiences, highlighting the resilience and agency of women during forced migration.

Results: This study explores the housing experiences of Ukrainian female refugees in Munich. Many fled in March 2022, grappling with the emotional challenges of leaving their families. Despite their difficulties, they exhibited resilience. Two years later, few attained stable housing, which is defined as living independently for one to three years. Many relied on government assistance; others experienced instability with host families or stayed in hotels. Housing experiences varied with social identity; older women often remained in temporary housing due to language barriers, while younger women adapted quickly to shared accommodations and jobs. The study identifies four pathways: social-network, locally assisted, market, and institutional. The social-network pathway describes reliance on connections with fellow Ukrainians and platforms like Telegram for housing. The locally assisted pathway highlights support from German acquaintances in navigating the competitive rental market. The institutional pathway addresses experiences with government housing, where many faced barriers like language issues and discrimination, highlighting the complexity of access to housing and the need for robust support systems to improve refugee stability and integration in Germany.

Discussion and Implications: Key factors influencing housing pathways include engagement with local Germans and Ukrainians, a German language proficiency of B1, and having a higher education or vocational degree. These elements are essential for effectively navigating Munich's housing market. The next steps involve addressing resource gaps, with stakeholders prioritizing enhanced language training and community integration opportunities for refugee women. Further research should examine long-term housing outcomes and the role of community initiatives in integration. By focusing on these areas, inclusive housing pathways can be fostered, promoting stability for all refugee groups.