Day 4: Housing Is a Multi-Issue Solution

| CHALLENGE | DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5 | DAY 6 | DAY 7 | DAY 8 | DAY 9 | DAY 10 |

In Day 3 of the Racial Justice Challenge, we talked about some discriminatory housing practices. Recognizing the interconnectedness of race, gender, and homelessness is crucial, as addressing homelessness effectively necessitates confronting the role of racism in housing access. Even after the abolition of redlining, discriminatory lending practices have continued to disadvantage minority communities. Subprime lending, for example, disproportionately targeted Black and Hispanic borrowers with higher interest rates and less favorable loan terms, leading to a higher risk of foreclosure during the housing crisis. Real estate agents and property owners have historically engaged in steering practices, where they guide individuals or families towards or away from certain neighborhoods based on their race or ethnicity. This has perpetuated segregation by directing people of color into specific areas and discouraging them from moving into predominantly white neighborhoods. Gentrification, often driven by predominantly white, middle-class individuals moving into historically minority neighborhoods, displaces long-time residents and businesses due to rising property values and rents. This can push out low-income minority residents and disrupt the social fabric of these communities.

According to Forbes, the criminalization of unhoused individuals costs taxpayers a substantial $83,000 per person per year. Unfortunately, many communities opt to perpetuate this criminalization rather than addressing the underlying causes, which include racism, unaffordable housing, gender-based violence, homophobia, transphobia, and insufficient mental health care.

The LGBTQ+ community has long confronted discrimination in the housing market, with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) only recently pledging to investigate discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity under the Fair Housing Act in 2021. Prior to this, 21 states permitted such discrimination, continuing to hinder LGBTQ+ individuals, especially LGBTQ+ people of color, from accessing stable housing.

Efforts to address housing discrimination and promote fair housing practices have been ongoing, including anti-discrimination laws, government programs, and community initiatives. However, the effects of historical racism in housing persist, and addressing them requires a comprehensive and sustained effort to promote housing equity and eliminate discrimination in housing markets.

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IF YOU HAVE…

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5 Minutes	and	5 Minutes	and	45 Minutes
	and		and
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO that examines the intersection of intimate partner violence (IPV), racism & homelessness.	and	CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE about how hip-hop was a response to redlining and how we can create more inclusive communities.	and	CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO about Black communities that were destroyed by white supremacist terrorism.

 

Additional resources:

YWCA USA Housing Justice Report

Glossary

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TAKE ACTION

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• Read this Homeless Bill of Rights and encourage your local representatives to adopt this landmark legislation if they haven’t already done so.
• Contact your city or county officials and ask about your community’s nuisance ordinances and how they could potentially lead to the eviction of victims of IPV. (Find your districts, precincts, and elected officials here.)
• Encourage your local representatives to support the creation of more affordable and permanent supportive housing in your community.

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REFLECT

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Take a moment to reflect today’s challenge and any insights you experienced.

• Download and complete the full Racial Justice Challenge Reflection template here.
  • Questions to consider:
    • What feelings or emotions did I notice while completing today’s challenge?
    • What did I learn? (This could be a new concept, idea, or word.)
    • Why is this topic/subject important?
    • What behaviors and beliefs do I want to let go of?
• Consider sharing any parts of this challenge with a friend or group to help deepen your understanding of the information.
• Join us Friday, 9/22 at noon via Zoom for a Week 1 debrief session.

  Meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84927226372?pwd=MFV6dDgrOTVGSFhGYm9UWWZ5UWFHZz09

  Meeting ID: 849 2722 6372

  Passcode: letmein

• Continue the conversation online and connect with others by joining our Racial & Social Justice Facebook group.

Just joining the Racial Justice Challenge? Register and find the previous days here. Please take the pre-challenge survey – it will help prepare your mind and body to dive into these racial and social topics and provide us valuable feedback for future challenges.

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Sources:

_{Forbes Contributors. (January 1, 2022). “How the U.S. Criminalizes Homelessness.” Forbes.}

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Racial Equity work is consistently underfunded. Make a powerful statement in the fight for racial and social justice. Your contribution directly supports initiatives that promote equality, combat discrimination, and empower individuals and communities. Together, we can create a more inclusive and just world for all. Join us in making a difference today!

SUPPORT THIS WORK

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Special thanks to our mission partners

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If you would like to learn more about partnering with YWCA Spokane in support of this Racial Justice Challenge, please contact Erica Schreiber, Director of Community Engagement via email ericas@ywcaspokane.org or via phone at 509-789-8275.

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| CHALLENGE | DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5 | DAY 6 | DAY 7 | DAY 8 | DAY 9 | DAY 10 |