Browse Publications: Economics & Business
This brief provides a primer on subprime lending and how it has affected homeownership among African Americans. Its story begins in the mid-1990s with the increase in subprime lending for home purchases, home improvement, and refinancing. How the primary and secondary markets for subprime loans operate and how African Americans and households belonging to other racial/ethnic subpopulations have been served by them are detailed. This brief concludes with a discussion of principles and recommendations for enhancing the operation of the subprime market to better meet the needs of African Americans and other disproportionately low-income populations.
African Americans and Homeownership: Separate and Unequal, 1940 to 2006 - November 2007 - Brief #1
This brief provides an overview of the current homeownership status of African Americans, along with relevant historical detail to place the present in context. Why homeownership has been a cherished part of the American dream, and homeownership sustainability among African Americans both are discussed. Trends in homeownership rates among African Americans and initiatives to increase homeownership also are covered in this brief.
Examines how three of the largest federal programs for workforce training and job placement are affecting racial and ethnic disparities in today's labor market. Conrad finds that the Wagner-Peyser Employment Service, the Workforce Investment Act, and the Adult and WIA Dislocated Workers program have a mixed record in their impact on black and Latino workers in particular. She attributes this to race-indifference in the design and operation of these programs. Concludes with a set of recommendations for making these systems work better for all job seekers.