Elsevier

Journal of Urban Economics

Volume 38, Issue 2, September 1995, Pages 183-206
Journal of Urban Economics

Regular Article
Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in Urban Housing Markets: Evidence from a Recent Audit Study

https://doi.org/10.1006/juec.1995.1028Get rights and content

Abstract

Using audit data from HUD′s 1989 Housing Discrimination Study of 25 American cities, this paper analyzes the level and causes of one type of discrimination encountered by blacks and Hispanics during housing searches. A statistical model is developed that recognizes features of audit data not properly accounted for in previous studies. Estimates based on this model indicate that real estate agents show blacks and Hispanics 80-90% of the housing units inspected by their Anglo customers. A detailed analysis suggests that customer prejudice and racial stereotyping influence agent behavior, particularly toward black customers. City-specific estimates indicate that discrimination levels vary across cities.

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