Local opinion: Stronger community through equitable housing

On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Fair Housing Act, part of the landmark Civil Rights Act. The adoption of the law was the continuation of years of the civil rights struggle and sacrifices by many, including the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a fierce foe of discriminatory housing who was assassinated on April 4 of that year.

Across the country, April is recognized as Fair Housing Month with the goal of appreciating the history of the Fair Housing Act and to advance its goals. At a recent City Council meeting, Mayor Regina Romero issued a proclamation recognizing April as Fair Housing Month.

The Fair Housing Act confronted decades of overt and covert discriminatory practices in housing, such as deed restrictions, housing covenants, redlining, exclusionary zoning, and urban renewal projects. The new law prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, or sex. Subsequently, the law was amended to prohibit discrimination based on sex and added the disabled and families with children to the list of protected classes.

The Act aimed to create and cement values of dignity, equity and equality in housing practices and policies. It not only targeted the private sector but public housing as well. The federal Act mandated localities to “take meaningful actions to overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities.”

In the 56 years since the law was enshrined, significant strides have been made to erase explicit discriminatory housing patterns and practices. Families have found stability and created strong communities by obtaining secure housing. Long-term stable housing strengthens families’ emotional and physical wellbeing. Neighborhood social networking increases and crime decreases. Family generational wealth is created. Educational goals are reached. The gains send ripple effects across our communities.

Still, for many families seeking good housing remains a nagging challenge. The effects of years of entrenched discriminatory barriers, which thrived prior to the Fair Housing Act remain. And much of the burden falls on families of color.

In a 2023 report by the Latino Policy & Politics Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles found that Latino and Black families continue to face resistance in the housing and rental markets. While the UCLA study focuses on Los Angeles County, the findings are likely found elsewhere, including Pima County, because of the structural nature of the housing and mortgage industries. The report found:

Latino and Black applicants were less likely to be approved for a conventional loan and more likely to be approved for a high-cost loan or denied a mortgage.

Black and Latino home seekers with excellent credit worthiness are just as likely to obtain a high-cost loan as are white applicants with poor credit worthiness.

Black and Latinos with excellent creditworthiness were denied at twice the rate as white applicants with similar credit worthiness.

Locally, the City of Tucson has taken steps to further the goals of the Fair Housing Act by reducing discriminatory housing practices and building affordable housing.

In December 2021, the Mayor and Council adopted the HAST plan, Housing Affordability Strategy for Tucson, with 10 policies to improve and add affordable housing which would align with Tucson’s focus on climate resiliency and advancing equity. One of the 10 policies was the Source Income Protection ordinance, which the Mayor and Council adopted in 2022. The new law added to the City of Tucson’s Human Relations and Fair Housing ordinance provides Housing Choice Voucher holders more opportunities to find rental housing in Tucson. Moreover, the City’s Housing and Community Development Department has 1,200 affordable housing units in various stages of planning, development, and construction.

More work, of course, is needed to keep faithful to the Fair Housing Act and to eradicate stubborn discriminatory practices. The federal Housing and Urban Development can increase funding for investigations of unfair housing through organizations such as the Southwest Fair Housing Council. Step up financial literacy and assistance for home buyers who seek to improve their credit history and make needed changes to lending practices to make borrowing more equitable and accessible for people of color. Critically, Tucsonans can lobby their state and federal government representatives to further the goals of the Fair Housing Act and resist attempts to peel back the gains.

Through more equitable housing, our community will become stronger and sustainable.