The Architecture of Segregation
The New York Times Editorial Board recently published a piece called The Architecture of Segregation, describing the racial and economic divides we see in this country that are a direct consequence of federal, state and local housing policies. The piece highlights new HUD regulations and a major Supreme Court ruling on the Fair Housing Act as steps in the right direction. But in the excerpt below, the editorial concludes that in order to dismantle entrenched segregation in our country, government at all levels must do more:
As things stand now, federally subsidized housing for low-income citizens, which seems on its face to be a good thing, is disproportionately built in poor areas offering no work, underperforming schools and limited opportunity. Zoning laws in newer suburbs that rest on and benefit from infrastructure built with public subsidies prevent poor, moderate-income and minority families from moving in. Discriminatory practices exclude even higher income minority citizens from some communities.
This piece serves as a reminder to the community development field that we need to continue to work to dismantle both racial and economic segregation.
More Information:
- Read the full article here
- Learn more about LIIF’s affordable housing program
