Are All Disadvantaged Equal? Predictors of Living in Hostels in Czech Socially Excluded Localities

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between social exclusion and housing tenure. It seeks to identify the factors that increase the chance that inhabitants of socially excluded localities in Czechia will live in a hostel (a single room occupancy hotel). Do these factors indicate a higher intensity of social exclusion among people who live in hostels? Do hostels house the more disadvantaged segment of the disadvantaged population, such as the inhabitants of socially excluded localities? Our aim is to produce a more nuanced understanding of the different needs of the heterogeneous population of socially excluded localities, which can be used to implement socially inclusive measures. We analyse data obtained in a survey of the population of excluded localities. We apply binary logistic regression using socio-demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of respondents and their households and variables measuring victimisation and respondents' risk behaviour as predictors. Along with descriptive statistics we present the results of the simple and multiple binary logistic regressions. The multiple model revealed the following predictors to be statistically significant: the share of rent in household income, household size, residential mobility, citizenship, labour status, criminal activity not punished by imprisonment, nationality/ethnicity, and property victimisation of the household. Except for the last two, these factors increase the chance of socially disadvantaged persons living in a hostel. Future research directions and the political implications of our findings are discussed in the conclusion.