Racial discrimination in mortgage lending in the 1930s shaped the demographic and wealth patterns of American communities today, a new study shows, with 3 out of 4 neighborhoods “redlined” on government maps 80 years ago continuing to struggle economically.
A recent study by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition indicates that the overwhelming majority of neighborhoods marked “hazardous” in red ink on maps drawn by the federal Home Owners’ Loan Corp. from 1935 to 1939 are much more likely than other areas today to consist of lower-income, minority residents. This panel of expert legal professionals addressed the long term impacts of redlining on community development, housing, education, and economic justice.