A LEGACY OF PAST POLICIES (~1910-1968) Federal Policies
FHA Redlining Local Policies Racial Zoning
Restrictive Covenants
…PERPETUATED BY CURRENT POLICIES Local Policies e.g.,
Exclusionary (Low-Density) Zoning
State Policies e.g.,
Education Funding
Federal Policies e.g.,
Mortgage Interest Deduction
Multi-level Policies e.g.,
Siting of Affordable Housing
1968 FAIR HOUSING ACT
NAACP Members Picket in Detroit (1963)
Source: Reuther Library, Wayne State University
REINFORCING THE FAIR HOUSING ACT ▪ U.S Supreme Court decision ▪ Texas Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs v. The Inclusive Communities Project ▪ Recognizes “disparate impact” claims
THE FERGUSON COMMISSION: A RACIAL EQUITY LENS “Intentionally apply a racial equity framework to existing and new regional policies, initiatives, programs and projects in order to address and eliminate existing disparities for racial and ethnic populations.”
THE FERGUSON COMMISSION: A RACIAL EQUITY LENS “The following focus questions to be included at a minimum: •Who does this recommendation benefit? •Does this recommendation differentially impact racial and ethnic groups? •What is missing from the recommendation that will decrease or eliminate racial disparities?”
THE FERGUSON COMMISSION: CALLS TO ACTION I. Justice for All II. Youth at the Center III. Opportunity to Thrive
THE FERGUSON COMMISSION: CALLS TO ACTION: III. OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE A. Affordable health care B. Financial Empowerment C. Employment D. Housing E. Transportation
THE FERGUSON COMMISSION REPORT: CALLS TO ACTION ON HOUSING Institute Fair Housing Protections “Create fair housing protections that prohibit discrimination by source of income for the entire State of Missouri.”
THE FERGUSON COMMISSION REPORT: CALLS TO ACTION ON HOUSING Stabilize Middle-Market Neighborhoods “Develop a regional strategy that actively attempts to stabilize middle-market neighborhoods and that emphasizes the health and well-being of existing residents.”
THE FERGUSON COMMISSION REPORT: CALLS TO ACTION ON HOUSING Expand the Statewide Housing Trust Fund “Expand the statewide Missouri Housing Trust Fund (HTF) program by doubling the current real estate transaction filing fee (from $3 to $6) in order to provide additional and effective funding to house working families in the region.”
Expand the City of St. Louis Housing Trust Fund “The City of St. Louis should lift the $5 million cap on its Housing Trust Fund.”
THE FERGUSON COMMISSION REPORT: CALLS TO ACTION ON HOUSING Inclusionary Zoning “Enact inclusionary zoning ordinances to promote access to affordable housing for low-income individuals.”
THE FERGUSON COMMISSION REPORT: CALLS TO ACTION ON HOUSING ▪ Build Healthy, Affordable Housing ▪ Use Federal Funds in Strategic Maximally Impactful Ways ▪ Create a St. Louis County Land Bank ▪ Prioritize Transit-Oriented Development ▪ Encourage CDCs to Collaborate or Merge ▪ Align Funding to Build Capacity of CDCs