Real estate still tragically unequal

OK, discrimination now is more subtle than the bad old days, when landlords and real estate agents were more likely to be open about their bigotry.

Instead, some landlords and real estate agents are more likely now to quietly give minority renters and buyers a bum steer, showing them fewer listings than they would if they were white, the Banner notes, citing past national surveys by federal housing officials.

Minority home buyers also still face an uphill battle in the mortgage market as well.

Blacks account for just 6 percent of all mortgage applications, even thought they make up more than 12 percent of the country’s population, Zillow finds in a new report.

Hispanics make up more than 17 percent of the overall population, but account for just over 9 percent of the mortgage applications.

Banks and other lenders were also more than twice as likely to reject mortgage applications from prospective black and Hispanic buyers compared to whites, Zillow finds.

Sadly, these studies aren’t breaking new news but are rather confirming years-long trends.

Housing discrimination is still alive and well. What needs to be done, in your view, to finally put an end to it?

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