The Expected Cost of Housing Discrimination

https://kent-islandora.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/ugresearch/2017/socsci_ed_health/5/thumbnail.jpgThe aim of this research is to increase the understanding regarding discrimination in the home rental market, especially in a way that is applicable to individuals, by constructing a framework with which its expected cost can be found. After estimating an expected cost, this research seeks to use that cost as a platform to explore conditions surrounding this expected cost. Furthermore, this research makes a case for why this should be an important issue among Disability Studies scholars and Disability Rights activists. Starting with 1988 amendments to the Fair Housing Act, America has made a legal effort to secure fair housing. However, it is estimated that over four million instances of discrimination occur in the rental market alone each year. This report aims to examine the expected cost of rental housing discrimination in order to better understand the conditions and circumstances that might bring an individual to committing discrimination. This research finds that the expected cost for committing the criminal act is exceptionally low due to the lack of enforcement of these complaints and the unwillingness of some individuals to report instances of discrimination. This provides evidence for the consensus among fair housing advocates that fair housing agencies are underfunded and unable to properly handle their caseloads.