Housing Discrimination

People of color in low-income communities have a long history of facing housing discrimination, which has contributed to ongoing disparities and limited access to safe, affordable housing. Some forms of housing discrimination include:

• Redlining: the practice of denying or limiting loans and insurance to residents of certain neighborhoods based on racial or ethnic composition
• Steering: the practice of real estate agents directing prospective homebuyers towards or away from certain neighborhoods based on race or ethnicity
• Racial zoning: the practice of restricting certain neighborhoods to residents of specific races through zoning laws
• Predatory lending: the practice of offering loans with unfavorable terms to borrowers who are less likely to understand the terms or have limited options

These practices have contributed to the persistent wealth gap and limited opportunities for black families, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and hindering their ability to build intergenerational wealth and secure stable housing. Addressing housing discrimination requires a multi-faceted approach, including stronger anti-discrimination laws, enforcement of existing laws, and programs to promote fair housing and increase access to affordable housing.