JMC Senior Honors Thesis Presentation

Fri, December 8, 2023 11:00 AM at JMC Library (332 Case Hall)

Join JMC senior Sean Farnum for the defense of his senior honors thesis "Racial Homeownership Disparities in Lansing: Breaking Down Barriers to Attainment and Wealth Building".

Abstract

This project examines the racial homeownership gap in the city of Lansing and how the factors that prevent homeownership attainment and equity building can be mitigated in the area. My main research questions for this study are what is the state of homeownership attainment and wealth building from homeownership by race and ethnicity in the city of Lansing and how can gaps in policy be filled? My argument is that there is a substantial racial homeownership gap that prevents communities of color in Lansing from building wealth. However, the barriers constructed by past policies and discriminatory market factors have contributed to this gap and can be mitigated by new policies. The racial homeownership gap has remained relatively unchanged in Lansing from 2010 to 2021 under current policy programs, meaning that more change is needed to reverse these results and break down barriers to homeownership and wealth building. This study has utilized a meta-analysis of policies in collaboration with census and ethnographic data on the state of homeownership and home wealth building according to demographic factors, as well as policy insight from interviews. This analysis provides an overview of homeownership barriers and policy solutions that can work to increase homeownership attainment and wealth building in Lansing.