New discussion paper by M. Luik, M. Steinhardt, and S. Voß on "Language Proficiency and Homeownership: Evidence from U.S. Immigrants"

In their work they provide causal evidence on the relationship between immigrant host country language proficiency and homeownership. Using an instrumental variable strategy, they find a substantial positive impact of language skills on the propensity to own a home and the quality of housing. While this effect is mediated by education and household income, the estimates also speak in favor of a direct effect. The results highlight the importance of host-country-specific human capital and, in particular, language proficiency for socio-economic assimilation.