What term refers to the act of directing individuals into or away from a neighborhood based on race or other protected characteristics?

The term that specifically refers to the act of directing individuals into or away from a neighborhood based on race or other protected characteristics is "steering or channeling." This practice involves guiding potential homebuyers or renters towards certain areas or away from others, often based on their race, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics. This is considered discriminatory behavior in real estate practices and is illegal under various fair housing laws.

Steering can perpetuate segregation and inequality, as it restricts individuals' choices based on biased beliefs or systemic racism. The goal of fair housing regulations is to prevent such practices and ensure that all individuals have equal access to housing opportunities regardless of their background.

Other terms, while related to housing discrimination and social injustice, do not specifically denote the act of directing individuals based on characteristics. For example, redlining refers to the systematic denial of various services to residents of specific, often racially marginalized, neighborhoods, typically involving the refusal to lend money for property in those areas. Discrimination is a broader term encompassing any unfair treatment based on protected characteristics, and segregation denotes the separation of different groups in society rather than the act of directing individuals in real estate transactions.