Housing Segregation and Redlining in America: A Short History | Code Switch | NPR

Recent questions

• What is redlining in housing?

  Redlining is a discriminatory practice in housing that emerged in the United States during the 1930s, primarily as a result of policies implemented by the Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC). This practice involved creating residential security maps that categorized neighborhoods based on racial composition, effectively marking predominantly black and brown areas as high-risk for mortgage lending. As a result, residents in these neighborhoods were systematically denied access to loans and refinancing opportunities, which hindered their ability to purchase homes and build wealth. Redlining has had long-lasting effects, contributing to the economic disparities and segregation that persist in many communities today.

• How does housing affect education quality?

  Housing significantly impacts education quality due to the way public schools are funded in the United States. Public school funding is largely derived from local property taxes, which means that neighborhoods with higher property values can allocate more resources to their schools. Consequently, students in wealthier areas often benefit from better facilities, more experienced teachers, and a wider array of educational programs. In contrast, communities of color, which frequently experience housing segregation and lower property values, tend to have underfunded schools with fewer resources. This disparity in educational quality perpetuates cycles of poverty and limits opportunities for students from marginalized backgrounds.

• What is the Fair Housing Act?

  The Fair Housing Act, enacted in 1968, is a landmark piece of legislation aimed at eliminating discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Its primary goal was to promote equal housing opportunities and combat the systemic segregation that had been entrenched in American society. Despite its intentions, the Act has faced significant challenges in enforcement over the decades, leading to continued disparities in housing access for marginalized communities. The Act's ineffectiveness in curbing discriminatory practices has resulted in a persistent wealth gap, particularly affecting black families who have historically been denied equal access to housing and mortgage opportunities.

• What are the effects of housing segregation?

  Housing segregation has profound and far-reaching effects on various aspects of life, including education, health, and policing. Segregated neighborhoods often experience significant disparities in public school funding, leading to unequal educational opportunities for children based on their residential area. Additionally, communities of color frequently face environmental hazards and health disparities due to systemic neglect and underinvestment. In terms of policing, residents in segregated neighborhoods may experience heightened scrutiny and racial profiling, which can erode trust between law enforcement and the community. These interconnected issues create a cycle of disadvantage that perpetuates inequality and hinders social mobility.

• Why is wealth accumulation unequal by race?

  Wealth accumulation in the United States is markedly unequal by race due to historical and systemic factors, particularly in housing. The National Housing Act of 1934 and subsequent policies facilitated home ownership for many white families through low-interest loans, while simultaneously implementing redlining practices that excluded black and brown communities from these opportunities. As a result, a significant majority of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans were granted to white borrowers, leading to substantial wealth accumulation among these families. In contrast, black families, despite having similar income levels, were often denied access to home ownership and the associated wealth-building opportunities, resulting in a persistent wealth gap that continues to affect generations.