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Disparities in pollution capitalization rates: the role of direct and systemic discrimination

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  • Zivin, Joshua Graff
  • Singer, Gregor

Abstract

We examine how exogenous changes in exposure to air pollution over the past two decades have altered the disparities in home values between Black and White homeowners. We find that air quality capitalization rates are significantly lower for Black homeowners. In fact, they are so much lower that, despite secular reductions in the Black-White pollution exposure gap, disparities in housing values have increased during this period. An exploration of mechanisms suggests that roughly one-quarter of this difference is the result of direct discrimination while the remaining three-quarters can be attributed to systemic discrimination through differential access to complementary amenities.

Suggested Citation

  • Zivin, Joshua Graff & Singer, Gregor, 2023. "Disparities in pollution capitalization rates: the role of direct and systemic discrimination," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 118093, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:118093
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    house prices; environmental justice; air pollution; race;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • R31 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - Housing Supply and Markets
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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