Citation URL: http://www.urban.org/StephenLRoss

This paper uses evidence from Durham, North Carolina to examine the impact of school choice on racial and class-based segregation across schools. The findings suggest that school choice increases segregation. Furthermore, the effects of choice on segregation by class are larger than the effects on segregation by race. These results are consistent with the theoretical argument-developed in sociology and economics literature-that the segregating choices of students from advantaged backgrounds are likely to outweigh any integrating choices by disadvantaged students.

The third phase of the HUD-sponsored Housing Discrimination Study (HDS 2000) uses paired testing to estimate the incidence of discrimination American Indians face when they search for housing in metropolitan areas. Building upon the basic testing protocols implemented in previous national studies and in Phases I and 2 of HDS2000, and using random samples of advertised housing units in Minnesota, Montana and New Mexico--three states where substantial numbers of American Indians live in metropolitan areas--the study sends minority and white test partners to inquire about the availability of the advertised units. The research found that American Indians face significant levels of housing discrimination, primarily due to denial of information about the availability of housing units.

The nation is making real progress in combating housing market discrimination. New estimates from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), based on Urban Institute research, indicate that while discrimination persists against African Americans and Hispanics searching for homes in major metropolitan areas, its incidence has generally declined since 1989. When African Americans and Hispanics visit real estate or rental offices to inquire about the availability of advertised homes and apartments, they face a significant risk of receiving less information and less favorable treatment than comparable white customers.

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