Barriers to fair housing for black women

This article examines barriers to fair housing (or equality of access to housing opportunities) for black women in both the private and public sectors. First the coverages of federal fair housing legislation are described. Then evidence of discrimination (behavior that denies to one group the rights or opportunities given to others) against black women seeking housing is explored in several contexts—on the basis of race, of sex, and of membership in a family with children. Available data suggest that the major form of housing market discrimination confronting black women is based on race. Despite legislation prohibiting them, subtle forms of discrimination on the basis of both race and sex appear to continue. In addition, several instances were reported in which discrimination against families with children was used to camouflage racially motivated discrimination.This analysis is the author's own and should not be attributed to the U.S. Congressional Budget Office.