53. A broker is working with a family which is multiracial. The broker only shows properties located in multiracial neighborhoods. Even though the broker thinks they are doing the family a favor, this is violating the Fair Housing Act prohibition against
Answer: C
Steering
The broker's actions of only showing properties in multiracial neighborhoods to a multiracial family is an example of steering, which is a violation of the Fair Housing Act. Steering occurs when real estate professionals direct clients toward or away from specific neighborhoods based on their race or ethnicity.
A) redlining.
Redlining refers to the practice of denying services or insurance to residents of certain areas based on the racial or ethnic composition of those areas. While related to discrimination, it does not specifically pertain to the broker's actions of directing the family to certain neighborhoods.
B) disparate treatment.
Disparate treatment involves treating someone differently based on a protected characteristic such as race or ethnicity. Although the broker's actions do reflect disparate treatment, the specific act of limiting the family's housing options to only multiracial neighborhoods fits more precisely under the definition of steering.
C) steering.
Steering is the practice of guiding homebuyers toward or away from particular neighborhoods based on their race or ethnicity. This directly applies to the broker's actions as they are limiting the family's choices to neighborhoods that match their racial background, which constitutes a violation of the Fair Housing Act.
D) blockbusting.
Blockbusting is a practice where real estate agents convince homeowners to sell their properties at lower prices by suggesting that the racial composition of their neighborhood is changing. This term does not apply to the broker's actions of only showing properties in multiracial neighborhoods, making it an incorrect choice.
Conclusion
The broker's behavior is a clear violation of the Fair Housing Act due to steering, which restricts the family's home search based on their racial identity. This not only limits their housing options but also perpetuates segregation, which is why options A, B, and D do not adequately describe the violation at hand. The focus on steering distinctly underscores the issue of directing individuals toward specific neighborhoods based on race.