Gatekeepers and Homeseekers: Institutional Patterns in Racial Steering

Racial patterns in housing are a paradox of continued segregation in spite of apparent liberalization of white attitudes. This paper explores the problem by examining the role of real estate agents, acting as community gatekeepers, in the perpetuation of racial segregation. An experimental field study was conducted ascertaining real estate agents' behavior toward matched black and white couples seeking to buy homes. It was found that the agents differentiated by race, both as to whether homes were shown, and where they were located. The conclusion was drawn that while the locus of actions was individual, the context is institutional.