5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

Housing stands as a critical pillar of economic security and an essential component of in-kind welfare provision, yet it also serves as a profound driving force for social, spatial, and economic inequality. The dynamics of housing inequality have evolved significantly in recent years, shaped by spatial polarization in property markets, the financialization of real estate, and intergenerational wealth transfers. More importantly, the surge of housing-based wealth has reshaped economic landscapes, amplifying the importance of property as a store of value and wealth accumulation amidst financialization. The interplay of state institutions, market forces, and individual and family factors has shaped the intra-and inter-generational disparities in access to and financial gains from property ownership. Moreover, disparities in housing outcomes vary not only across social groups but also by geographical origin. These new developments in housing further complicate the landscape of housing injustice in both the Global North and South. This session seeks to explore the multifaceted dimensions of housing inequality and injustice, foster a deeper understanding of their causes and consequences, and explore possible solutions to mitigate housing inequality and injustice. This session invites research on, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Financialization of housing
• Housing wealth inequality
• Structural and institutional causes of housing inequality
• Intergenerational transmission of housing inequality
• Geographical and social disparities in housing outcomes
• Similarities and differences between the Global South and Global North
• Housing access and well-being among various disadvantaged groups
• Innovative policies and programs to mitigate housing injustice and inequality