What is "steering" as it relates to housing discrimination?

Steering refers to the practice of directing homebuyers toward or away from certain neighborhoods based on their race or ethnicity, rather than their preferences or financial ability. This discriminatory practice can limit a buyer's opportunities and choices in the housing market, effectively segregating communities and maintaining inequalities in access to housing.

In this context, if a real estate agent shows properties only in neighborhoods that align with a client's racial background while ignoring others, it reinforces systemic biases and undermines fair housing laws designed to promote equality. Recognizing steering as a violation of the Fair Housing Act highlights the importance of equal treatment in the real estate market, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of race or ethnicity, have access to housing options throughout various neighborhoods.

The other options focus on activities not directly related to discriminatory practices in housing. Directing buyers to specific lenders (as in the first option) or promoting investment seminars (as in the second option) may involve ethical considerations but do not constitute steering. Encouraging property renovations (as in the fourth option) does not relate to the discriminatory practice of steering and instead pertains to property improvement strategies. Therefore, showing properties based on a client's race or ethnicity is the clear definition of steering in the context of housing discrimination.