Stages of Discrimination: An Analysis of Opportunities for Discrimination in the Homeownership Market

Author

Meredith JoAnna Kelly, Fontbonne College

Year of Award

1994

Degree

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

College

College of Business & Professional Studies

Degree Program

Business Administration

Department

Business Administration

Keywords

racism, neighborhoods, urban, fair market

Abstract

Discrimination in the homeownership market is most frequently thought of as a cultural issue that could be better understood by analyzing all players of the home-buying transaction. The causes and consequences of racial discrimination in the homeownership market cannot be analyzed properly without considering the relationship between buyers, sellers, and mortgage lenders. Therefore, to fully asses the impact of transactional discrimination, it is necessary to view the entire home-buying process. Discrimination in the homeownership market transaction in an important factor in residential segregation. Despite gains in racial justice and equal opportunity, America's urban areas are still profoundly segregated on the basis of race and ethnicity. According to Knight-Ridder newspaper analysis of Census Bureau data, nationwide, over 30% of black and 66% of whites live in "racially isolated" neighborhoods. This paper examines the use of fair housing audits, evaluates homeownership market discrimination and summarizes fmdings of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Because of data found in the fair housing audits used throughout the United States, homeownership discrimination is heavily recognizable and remains a very serious problem. Its crippling side-effects 1 can range from black children's access to quality public schools to African American economic and social health. In order to combat home-buying discrimination in the years to come, fair housing audits dealing directly with the home-buying process should be further refined and extended to all stages of the homeownership market transaction. This thesis explores transactional discrimination during the homebuying process, and assesses the underlying causes of discrimination. The research also affirms that the persistence of discrimination in the homeownership market has grave consequences for the United States both socially and economically. The thesis will define terms, explain Federal efforts used to analyze discrimination, create a clearer understanding of transactional discrimination and will look into alternative ways of eliminating the problem.

Document Type

Restricted Thesis

Recommended Citation

Kelly, Meredith JoAnna, "Stages of Discrimination: An Analysis of Opportunities for Discrimination in the Homeownership Market" (1994). All Theses, Dissertations, and Capstone Projects. 232.
https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/all-etds/232