Abstract

The article focuses on affirmative action in housing. Affirmative action, a policy that began in the public sector, is a fact of life in many areas of management. First, school districts were prohibited from excluding children of a particular race. Later, federal guidelines directed schools to actively seek students of other races specifically, to bus. The Philadelphia Plan in the construction industry and Federal Trade Commission requirements of 'corrective' advertising are two other areas where positive action, not just a halt to negative action, has been demanded. As a first step into the private sector, the housing industry is coming under this kind of affirmative action mandate. Federal law regarding public accommodations and housing says that no customers shall be excluded because of race, color, religion, or national origin-but enforcement of that law now appears to be saying that underrepresented racial or ethnic groups must be sought. Justice Department actions in the housing industry indicate three components of the 'affirmative action' trend in this area, which include government interest in the groups reached by certain advertising media.