Homeownership Segregation
Author(s)
Nirupama Kulkarni and Ulrike Malmendier
ABSTRACT
Homeownership is considered an essential part of the \American Dream" and forms the foundation of upward mobility. We show that the upward mobility of children from low-income families is not predicted by homeownership rates, but by homeownership segregation. Higher residential segregation between homeowners and renters predicts lower upward mobility of children from low-income families, while not affecting high-income families. We hypothesize the 1968 Fair Housing Act preserved homeownership segregation in CZs since the 1970s, and feature more land-use regulation even today. Channels mediating the effect of homeownership on upward mobility include income segregation, racial segregation, school segregation, and commuting times.
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