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Analysis essay
Background of the housing problem
Housing segregation is a challenge posed by increased inequalities between the white and the colored communities. These imbalances make it hard for America to progress and gap the racial disparities when it comes to the distribution of essential services such as the housing sector. Even after the passage of the housing Act, there is segregation between the whites and blacks, and this poses heavy burdens on the black community. There is inequality among the blacks, even if they pose the same income and education level as the whites. Housing segregation was engineered to be a tool of white supremacy, and due to this, it has become a significant threat to racial inequality in America today. Racial segregation was deliberate. However, many argue it was “natural” where “birds of the same feathers flock together,” but this is not the case. The American government-engineered segregation to create white supremacy and make it easier to deploy police to monitor the colored race. The colored communities suffered due to deprivations that come with segregation. They experienced disparities in education, economic disenfranchisement, and unfair policing practices. (Evans)
Racial segregation in the late 19th and 20th century
Housing discrimination was something that was planned and not accidental. According to Richard Rothstein, In his book, the color of law. He argues that segregation is a result of” A century of social engineering on the part of federal, state and local governments that enacted policies to keep African Americans separate and subordinate” (Rothstein) the government and private entity deliberately segregated area and preserved them for a particular race. During the late 19 and early 20th century, African Americans were prohibited in purchasing land in white neighborhoods. They were considered as threats. In 1910, the then Mayor, Baltimore, gave a speech saying, “blacks should remain quarantined in isolated slums to reduce the incidence of civil disturbance to prevent the spread of communicable disease into nearby white neighborhoods, and to protect property value among the white majority.” (Yinger) He introduced a policy known as “exclusionary zoning,” which was affirmed by the Supreme Court, and it was termed to be reasonable and is made to protect the public welfare. (Kruse)
The federal government saw the “redlining” of mortgage loans where officials declined a $120 billion fund designed on housing building, saying the black community would negatively influence the property value. The suggestion was creating a highway separating community in which “the infiltration of lower-class occupancy and inharmonious racial groups” .meaning people willing to purchase property in “red” zones will receive no mortgage or federal support regardless of their wealth or social status. Segregation was imposed through intimidation of violence and fear. An incident occurred in Philadelphia in 1957 where a black family bought a unit in the white community resulting in 600 whites demonstrating outside his house, and law enforces failed to intervene due to fear of losing their job as one officer who dared to intervene was demoted. (Howell)
Due to the noted discrimination in housing by the whites, The Fair Housing Act was passed in April 1968. The purpose was to eliminate discrimination in the housing sector and end racial segregation. The act “prohibits discrimination in the sale or rental of housing; the finance of housing; and the provision of brokerage services based on a person’s inclusion in a protected class, including race, color, and national origin.” Even after the passage of the Act, there are disparities in terms of homeownership, employment, and other significant assets. (Evans, “Examining housing discrimination across race, gender and felony history)
Modern housing discrimination
Today, forms of racial discrimination on housing opportunities still exist when searching for housing at all stages. When a colored community meets with an estate agent, the treatment is not the same as the one served to the white community. They are often shown fewer house choices, and the prices are not negotiable. Blacks are meant to pay the full deposit without negotiating and are often told a unit is sold even if it is not. Equally qualified black homeowners are denied access to mortgage due to their race. Housing providers have become more skillful in hiding their discriminatory behaviors. This is by not advertising available units on media platforms. Facebook is one of the platforms that has been accused by allowing agents to exclude people based on their race and ethnicity in viewing units available. Steering of residents from a community based on their race is a crime; however, it is still practiced in the real estate sector. (Turner)
The white privilege is still persistent, where the whites are seen as the superior race over the black community. Racially biased housing policies discourage equity in a race. Practices such as redling, the steering have contributed to lower housing demand in African American neighborhoods. The price of a house in this community if valued half price compared to white neighborhoods. Houses in the black community depreciate more compared to white neighborhoods.
Effects of housing discrimination
Housing discrimination brings wealth gaps in the country. Due to inequalities, people with low incomes often receive fewer resources, such as access to education. Schools in segregated areas often perform less as compared to school near wealthy communities. Neighborhoods close to better school cost 2.4 times higher than those in low scoring schools. Segregation of communities leads to increased poverty levels. These are because the poor population lives in communities with fewer resources. These lead to social problems such as high crime rates, increased school dropouts, and substandard housing. These families often try to provide essential needs such as food and shelter, and neglect better food options and healthcare.it leads to physical and psychological strain (Galster).
Remedies in housing discrimination
However, the triumph government is putting measures to end this issue
Power is given to local jurisdictions to oversee responsible planning to achieve fair housing. There is a full restoration of Affirmative Furthering Fair Housing(AFFH). It should promote investment in colored communities (Chai)
There is serious enforcement of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) by federal and local governments. The governments are investing more funds in the Fair Housing Initiative Program (FHIP) and the department of housing and urban Development (DHUD). it ensures equality in housing via the Office of Fair Housing and Equal opportunity (FHEO).underfunding has resulted in too many cases being unidentified and unresolved. Increase in funding will allow these bodies to address the issue of housing discrimination (Yinger, “Measuring racial discrimination with fair housing audits: Caught in the act”)
More legal measures are being put in place to end systematic discrimination rather than perpetuating it. Serious legal actions need to be taken to any agents found discriminating people and should be held accountable for their actions
Conclusion
In summary, housing discrimination and white privilege persist. Even though the Fair housing act has succeeded in ending the discriminatory practices that were there in half a century ago, further investigation needs to be taken to ensure discriminatory practices are put to an end. Those found practicing these face serious consequences. There are some achievements by these housing bodies where there has been an increase in integration between the colored communities in the white communities. Houses in black communities are appreciating steadily, and with serious measures implemented, we will achieve equality in housing.
Work cited
Chai, Shenglan, and Brian H. Kleiner. ” “Housing discrimination based on race”.” .” Equal Opportunities International ((2003).).
Evans, Douglas N., Kwan-Lamar Blount-Hill, and Michelle A. Cubellis. “”Examining housing discrimination across race, gender and felony history.” ” Housing Studies 34.5 (.(2019):): 761-778.
—. “”Examining housing discrimination across race, gender and felony history.” ” Housing Studies 34.5: ( (2019)): 761-778.
Galster, George C., and James H. Carr. “”Housing discrimination and urban poverty of African-Americans.”.” Journal of Housing Research ( (1991):): 87-123.
Howell, Benjamin. ” Concentrated subprime lending as housing discrimination. “Exploiting race and space: .” ” California Law Review 94.1 ((2006):): 101-147.
Kruse, Kevin Michael, Kevin M. Kruse, and Thomas J. Sugrue, eds. The new suburban history. University of Chicago Press,, 2006.
Rothstein, Richard. The color of law: A forgotten history of how our government segregated America. . Liveright Publishing,, 2017.
Turner, Margery Austin. ” “Limits on housing and neighborhoods choice: Discrimination and segregation in US housing markets.” .” Ind. L. Rev. 41 ((2008):): 797.
Yinger, John. ” “Measuring racial discrimination with fair housing audits: Caught in the act”.”The American Economic Review ((1986): ): 881-893.
—. Closed doors, opportunities lost: The continuing costs of housing discrimination. Russell Sage Foundation, , 1995.