Although income inequality receives plenty of coverage these days, research suggests that neighborhoods of color have less access to resources than white neighborhoods despite similar median incomes.
In the 1990s, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development carried out an experimental program called Moving to Opportunity for Fair Housing (MTO). Low-income families from Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York received housing vouchers and other assistance to relocate into neighborhoods with higher median incomes. In a recent report, researchers from the Cleveland Federal Reserve examine the legacy of MTO.
Their foremost conclusion is, simply, not all high-poverty (or low-poverty) neighborhoods are created equal. From Next City's article on the findings: "they say that it's possible that segregation — more than median income — affects schools, personal security, employment networks and access to public resources."
When policymakers and planners focus only on alleviating the effects of poverty, race-based inequities in neighborhood quality don't receive adequate attention. From the article: "Aliprantis and Kolliner's research suggests that if we continue to ignore racial segregation as a factor in neighborhood equality, policies aimed at creating opportunity for low-income Americans will continue to yield disappointing results."
FULL STORY: Race May Matter More Than Income When It Comes to Neighborhood Quality
Mapped: Chicago's Shrinking Middle Class
In 1970, half of the city's census tracts were middle-income. Now, only 16 percent of them remain so. Polarization between the well-off and the poor essentially splits the city in two.
Op-Ed: Dallas Suffers From Long-Term, Entrenched Segregation
In a appeal by no means limited to the Dallas metro region, Mike Koprowski condemns the city's entrenched segregation and calls for a stronger response.
Racial Segregation in U.S. Neighborhoods
Despite the intentions of the nation's fair housing laws, neighborhoods in the United States continue to segregate by race.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service