The Impact of Housing Experience on the Well-Being of 1.5-Generation Immigrants: The Case of Millennial and Gen-Z Renters in Southern California

Gentrification is a growing problem that impacts immigrants, particularly in Southern California where housing costs continue to rise. This study examines how Millennials and Generation Z—an understudied group of 1.5-generation immigrants—are experiencing housing instability. Because Millennials and Generation Z immigrants have grown up in a housing crisis, they are disproportionately affected by rising housing costs and a lack of affordable housing, contributing to poor well-being. Findings from 30 semistructured interviews with 1.5-generation immigrants reveal that these long-term renters experience extreme housing burden, precarious housing conditions, and displacement. Participants self-reported that over time, the stress of being housing insecure and being discriminated against as an immigrant has affected their sense of belonging and emotional well-being. This study contributes to a better understanding of the consequences of gentrification on immigrants and points to the need to explore how housing instability creates adverse health outcomes for various populations.