Root Causes of Housing and Land Injustice
In the United States, access to housing and property ownership is deeply rooted in racial inequity. Racist ideologies about land ownership have shaped our housing and land use systems, contributing to today’s housing crisis.
These briefs highlight nine root causes and key factors behind these unjust systems. This resource is for community members seeking transformative housing solutions, government partners, and mission-aligned stakeholders in finance and developments.
Addressing these root causes in our housing debates can result in a shared analysis and understanding. This can inform housing solutions that realign and rebalance power dynamics, moving us towards a system where housing is recognized as a public good and human right for all.
Use these briefs to bring colleagues and neighbors together to:
- Examine the root causes of housing inequities within your local community.
- Apply a systems-based analysis to envision a robust network of public goods that meet fundamental human needs.
- Reimagine the government’s currently limited role in housing regulation, financing, and development. Have an open discussion about how the government could play a bigger role in making housing better for everyone.
Download Introduction Brief (pdf)
Download Building Whiteness Brief (pdf)
Download Bulldozing Communities of Color Brief (pdf)
Download Financial Apartheid Brief (pdf)
Download Real Democracy or Real Estate Democracy Brief (pdf)
Download Subsidizing White Wealth Brief (pdf)
Download Taxing Race Brief (pdf)
Download The Wall Street Landlords Brief (pdf)