Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets

The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy of public consideration. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders.

Note: This report is available in its entirety in the Portable Document Format (PDF).

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report presents results from the third phase of the latest national Housing Discrimination Study (HDS2000), sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and conducted by the Urban Institute. It is one of five related reports that will ultimately be produced from this major research effort:

• Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: Phase I
• Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: Phase I — Supplement
• Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: Phase II — Asians and Pacific Islanders
• Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: Phase III — Native Americans
• Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: Phase IV — Persons with Disabilities

All of these reports present findings based upon rigorous paired tests, in which two individuals—one minority and the other white—pose as otherwise identical homeseekers and visit real estate or rental agents to inquire about the availability of advertised housing units. This methodology provides direct evidence of differences in the treatment minorities and whites experience when they search for housing.

Note: This report is available in its entirety in the Portable Document Format (PDF).

The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy of public consideration. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders.

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