After fleeing Iran many years ago, Nasrin Bahrampour and her husband found a home in Aarhus, Denmark. Now they are being forced to leave under a government program aimed at integrating certain low-income neighborhoods where many “non-Western” immigrants reside. This program involves demolishing or selling thousands of apartments to increase social diversity by attracting wealthier residents. Critics argue that this program is a form of ethnic discrimination and unnecessary in a country with low income inequality. Implementing a reduction in public housing based on residents’ ethnic backgrounds is seen as an unusual and counterproductive solution. The government, however, claims the program is necessary to dismantle segregated enclaves where immigrants do not participate in wider society or learn the Danish language. Despite other government efforts to combat urban deprivation and segregation, experts believe that mandating a decrease in public housing based on ethnic backgrounds is heavy-handed and ineffective. The program has sparked opposition from residents like Bahrampour, who feels that it is an attempt to hide foreigners. The housing plan was announced in 2018 and includes a requirement for young children to spend at least 25 hours a week in preschools to learn Danish language and values. The program has received broad support, including from the governing Social Democrats. However, it has faced criticism for potentially exacerbating discrimination against minority communities and characterizing immigrants as societal problems. Critics argue that ethnic enclaves historically serve as landing points for new immigrants, allowing subsequent generations to assimilate over time. The program has attracted legal challenges on claims of ethnic discrimination, with some reaching the Court of Justice of the European Union. The United Nations has also called for a halt to property sales until the legality of the program is determined. Critics suggest that focusing on countering discrimination would be a more effective strategy for integration. The American program, Moving to Opportunity, which saw improvements in outcomes for families who voluntarily moved from impoverished to wealthier areas, highlights the importance of voluntary relocation and significant improvements in living conditions. It remains difficult to assess the outcomes for those forced to leave their homes in Denmark, as the authorities are not tracking them. However, the emotional toll is evident, with some individuals expressing trauma and a lack of a sense of home in their new residences. While the program is still in its early stages, the government claims it is successful based on its set criteria. A government report shows that those leaving affected neighborhoods are, on average, less educated, less likely to be fully employed, and have lower incomes than those moving in. Critics argue that the program lacks sufficient evidence to support its effectiveness and may be disrupting lives unnecessarily.
