Zillow believes that all Americans deserve to find a home free from discrimination. One way we uphold this value is by shining light on inequities through our economic research. Our intention is to help customers, partners and policymakers make informed decisions on fair housing guidelines and regulations.
Since 2015, Zillow has published a growing body of research addressing disparities. The work demonstrates that housing inequities persist nationwide. This work has informed media stories, advocacy groups, and policymakers to drive the public conversation around the troubling history of blatant racism in real estate, and its lasting effects.
Selected research:
The gap between white and Black home ownership rates: Zillow presented data to Congress about disparities and recently published research that reveals the U.S. homeownership rate for non-Black households was 26 percentage points higher than the Black homeownership rate.
Home values in redlined neighborhoods: Zillow examined more than 20 years of home value appreciation data in formerly redlined areas and found that areas formerly deemed “best” for lenders are now worth 2.3 times those previously marked as “hazardous” for lending. And, of the 151 areas we evaluated, we found only a single instance in which homes in formerly redlined areas are now worth more than those in areas once rated “best.”
Coronavirus layoffs impacts on housing security: A Zillow analysis of U.S. Census data revealed recently that Latinx, Asian and Black workers are disproportionately represented in the food, arts and service industries that have been affected by mass layoffs and furloughs. Moreover, in virtually all the nation’s largest metros, Latinx or Black renter households face larger rent burdens than other racial groups before any loss of wages, meaning they are potentially more vulnerable to experience housing insecurity after missing pay.
Renters of color and rental application reviews and fees: As part of our annual consumer housing trends survey of more than 13,000 key household decision makers, we found that on average, Latinx renters submit 5.5 rental applications and Black and Asian renters submit 3.6 applications before finding a home compared with 2.5 for white applicants. Moreover, application fees impact people of color more heavily: 56% of white renters pay one, compared to 73% of Latinx and Black renters.
Zillow continues to look for ways we can provide research to assist in efforts to close the gap in fair housing and support communities who have experienced discrimination. You can keep up to date on the latest Zillow research by joining our mailing list.