The gender factor: A further investigation of the data from the Housing and Urban Development study of housing discrimination

Despite improvements in racial attitudes and legislation, discrimination still exists by race and gender when it comes to housing in the United States (Blank, Dabady, & Citro, 2004; King, 2001; Roller, 2003). The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 and The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 were designed to encourage regulated lenders to meet the credit/mortgage needs of the communities served without regard to gender or race. Even with the passage of the above mentioned Acts, there is still evidence of discrimination in the home mortgage lending industry (Bynum, 2004; Wilson, 2005). One pervasive form of racial discrimination is related to the purchase of private residences (Charles, 2003). The literature review will examine gender discrimination, disparate treatment and impact, racial segregation and disparity, redlining, racial steering, reverse redlining, government-sponsored enterprises, and gender discrimination. Each item is important in discussing housing in the United States.