Policy designers addressing de facto segregation typically use which approach?

• A. Strict anti-discrimination enforcement only.
• B. Universal zoning reform with no targeting.
• C. Market-based solutions without oversight.
• D. Targeted housing, school desegregation, and equity-focused planning.

Answer: (D)

De facto segregation is best addressed with a focused, cross‑cutting strategy that links housing, schools, and urban planning to create real opportunities across all communities. Because this type of segregation arises from patterns in where people live and go to school—shaped by pricing, availability, and local policies—policymakers need targeted interventions that actively integrate opportunities rather than relying on broad, non-specific reforms. Targeted housing policies can expand affordable options in diverse neighborhoods, while school desegregation efforts—such as programs that promote diverse enrollment and thoughtful student placement—help ensure access to better educational opportunities. Coupling these with equity‑focused planning means using data to identify disparities, directing investments to underserved areas, and promoting inclusive zoning and cross‑jurisdiction collaboration. This combination directly confronts the structural barriers that sustain segregation and unequal opportunity, rather than just addressing overt bias or relying on market forces without accountability. In contrast, purely anti‑discrimination enforcement may miss persistent patterns, universal zoning reform without targeting may not shift opportunity where it’s most needed, and market‑driven approaches without oversight can reproduce or widen gaps.