Housing Lesson Starter:

Today we will… Examine the inequalities in housing in the USA. Identify the characteristics of different types of residential areas in the USA.

Success criteria… I will be able to describe housing inequality in the USA. I will be able to categorise different aspects of housing in the USA.

Housing There are huge difference in terms of houses and neighbourhoods in the USA. A ghetto, also known as ‘the hood’ or the inner city, is part of an American city where nearly everyone is form an ethnic minority. Most ghettos are poor, but not all. Some of the black parts of Queens in New York, for example, are richer than some of the white parts.

Task You will see images of different areas in the USA. On your show me board, decide if it is a feature of: Inner city ghetto Inner city apartments Middle class suburb

Plumbing and sanitation do not work properly.

Good schools with modern equipment.

Play parks are vandalised and children play in the streets.

Drunks and drug addicts lie in hallways and on landings.

Large houses with nice gardens.

High crime rate

Streets patrolled regularly by police.

Housing in the USA INNER CITY GHETTO/ Barrio Poor housing- damp, overcrowded Dangerous- high crime rate, gang violence and drug problems Poor facilities- schools and shops Little police presence Vandalism MIDDLE CLASS SUBURBS Large impressive homes less crime Good schools Police patrols No gangs Well looked after streets and gardens

Home Ownership Owning your home is seen to be a key part of the American Dream. Look at the table below, what do you notice about these figures? All White Black Hispanic Asian Table 1: % of Homeownership Rates by Race and Ethnicity of Householder: 1994 to 2012

All White Black Hispanic Asian Table 1: % of Homeownership Rates by Race and Ethnicity of Householder: 1994 to 2012

The high percentage of Black and Hispanic Americans living in poverty means they are more likely to live in poor areas. This not only means they will live in worse housing conditions but also their education and employment prospects are limited too. Black and Hispanic Americans are more likely to live in ghetto areas than White Americans.

Suburbs REMEMBER though, many Black and Hispanic Americans do not live in ghetto areas. Similarly, many white Americans do not live in middle class suburbs. Statistics show, however, 74% of White Americans live in the suburbs and 60% of Black Americans live in the centre of cities. Ethnic minorities, therefore, have some way to go before owning a home in the suburbs is a normal part of life.

Residential Segregation The table below shows house moves made since What do you notice? Although deliberate racial segregation is illegal in America, Americans tend to live close by others of the same ethnic group. Move toPredominantly Black Area Multi-ethnic Area Predominantly White Area Black Americans 60.9%18.9%2% White Americans 1.5%Unknown74.9%

Homelessness In the USA, over half of those without a home were from an ethnic minority. Main reason – substance abuse. However this is being quickly overtaken by the fact many cannot afford to stay in their homes. Sub prime mortgages - many cannot afford the high mortgage payments.