March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the contributions of women throughout history and in modern society. While much of the history we’re taught centers around men, make no mistake — women and non-binary people have always played an important role in every facet of our society, including in the housing justice movement. […]
By Austin Cummings, Research Associate Put simply, the market penalizes integration: The higher the percentage of Blacks in the neighborhood, the less the home is worth, even when researchers control for age, social class, household structure, and geography. Dorothy A. Brown, “Homeownership in Black and White: The Role of Tax Policy in Increasing Housing Inequity” […]
In the United States, over 44 million households currently live in rental housing. Federal laws, like the Fair Housing Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act protect renters from discrimination and unfair treatment. Still, there are gaps to fill when it comes to renter protections in this country. From unreasonable […]
The Fair Housing Act was signed into law with the intention of providing every person living in America the right to fair and equal housing opportunities. While this law has helped protect millions from unlawful discrimination, we also know that there is still work to do in order for the goal of the Fair Housing […]
Over the past few years, we have seen the benefits of having the option to work or learn remotely. From convenience and comfort to time and money saved, there are a number of reasons that people prefer the option of attending trainings, events, and classes online. And while in-person learning works better for some, it […]
Having kids comes with its own set of unique challenges, and one thing most people can agree on is that parenting is no easy job. However, there is a challenge that many families with children do not expect to face — housing discrimination. Although the Fair Housing Act makes it illegal for housing providers to […]
Since first hitting virtually every part of the world almost three years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic has altered life as we know it. The pandemic has impacted the health, jobs, opportunities, and ways of life for people all around the world, and has exacerbated long-standing systemic inequities. It has also had a significant impact on […]
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an annual observance that raises awareness for issues surrounding domestic violence and those impacted by it. Domestic violence occurs when one person intentionally causes physical or emotional harm to a partner in an intimate relationship. This may include sexual assault, physical abuse, and/or psychological or emotional abuse. It is a […]
Criminal Records Present Lifelong Barriers One in three people in the United States has a criminal record. Unfortunately, for most people with a criminal record, life doesn’t just go “back to normal” after paying their debt to society. Having a record — even a misdemeanor — comes with thousands of potential collateral sanctions, or the “unanticipated, […]
By Austin Cummings, research associate at the Fair Housing Center for Rights & Research Access to credit is the “underpinning of economic inclusion and wealth-building in the United States” (Mitchell and Franco, 2018: 5). Credit inequality contributes to the wealth gap and undermines fair access to housing. Communities of color throughout the United States have […]
It’s no secret that where you live affects your overall health outcomes. However, it might come as a surprise to some that the discriminatory practice of redlining — which has been outlawed for over 50 years — is still having very real effects on heart health. According to a recent study from University Hospitals, living […]
Stable housing is arguably the most foundational aspect in a person’s life. Unfortunately, for individuals who have had involvement with the criminal legal system, safe, fair, and affordable housing is often out of reach. For people of color, specifically Black and Hispanic Americans with criminal records, those barriers are experienced at disproportionate rates. These barriers […]
Across the country, LGBTQ+ Americans are more likely to experience housing discrimination and homelessness than those who are straight and cisgender. If you’ve ever attended a workshop by the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH), you’ve probably learned that – contrary to popular belief – being LGBTQ+ is not a risk factor for homelessness. […]
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have long faced discrimination in the United States. While this discrimination didn’t start with the COVID-19 pandemic, the hateful and xenophobic rhetoric that has circulated over the past two years certainly hasn’t helped. One area that we have seen an increase in discrimination against the AAPI community is in housing. […]
Your zip code is a better predictor of your health than your genetic code. Melody Goodman, assistant professor at Washington University There is no doubt that a person’s health outcomes are impacted by their housing. In many cases, the physical structure of a person’s home is actively making them sick and causing health problems. Aging homes […]
