Last year, the gap in home ownership between black and white Americans grew to more than 30%, even higher than it was in 1960, when housing discrimination based on race was still legal.
This gap was created by systems of economic racism, and maintained by further financial inequities. Think of lending practices, red-lining, destruction of generational wealth, and the lack of access to credit.
Those inequalities were really driven home over the past year, as the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected communities of color.
Now that we're moving away from the pandemic the already high demand in the housing market threatens to push the haves and the have nots further apart.
Primarily white, middle and upper income families will maintain mobility and choice regarding housing.
These chasms of accessibility to affordable stock, and financial knowledge were highlighted in a new survey from the national non-profit NeighborWorks America.
The group has been around for about four decades, and is made up a fair and affordable housing partners across the country including some right here in Northeast Ohio.
Today, we'll discuss their recent survey focusing on the obstacles to home ownership particularly in minority and low income populations.
We talk to the President and CEO of NeighborWorks America, Marietta Rodriguez, and the Executive Director of CHN Housing Partners Kevin Nowak.
Stick around, as later in the hour we'll be talking once again about the Cleveland mayoral race, and how it intersects with police reform in the city with Case Western Reserve University's Lewis Katz. He's moderating a mayoral forum tonight.
Finally this hour, a blues flavored edition of ideastream's Applause Performances.
Register for the Cleveland Mayoral Candidates Forum hosted by the Case Western Reserve University School of Law and the Cleveland Community Police Commission. It will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will also be streamed live on WOVU, 95.9 FM.
- Marietta Rodriguez, President and CEO, NeighborWorks America
- Kevin Nowak, Executive Director, CHN Housing Partners
- Lewis Katz, Professor Emeritus of Law, Case Western Reserve Law School & Co-Chairman, Cleveland Community Police Commission
- Kristine Jackson, Blues Musician
