In “The Neighborhoods We Will Not Share,” an article published by The New York Times, I highlight the Trump administration’s proposed rule that threatens to significantly undermine challenges to residential racial segregation policies. This rule change is particularly concerning given the profound impact of segregation on various social issues. From education disparities to health inequalities and economic opportunities, segregation perpetuates systemic injustices that affect African American communities disproportionately. Historic discriminatory housing policies, as outlined in my book “The Color of Law,” have systematically disadvantaged black families, contributing significantly to today’s racial wealth gap. Despite the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which aimed to combat housing discrimination, loopholes and unconscious biases still perpetuate segregation. The proposed rule seeks to weaken the ability to challenge policies that have a disparate impact on minorities, effectively limiting the Act’s scope to cases where explicit racial bias is proven. This regulatory change, obscured in technicalities, would make it exceedingly difficult to address clear instances of housing discrimination, such as inequitable property tax rates in Syracuse or exclusionary policies in New Orleans suburbs post-Hurricane Katrina. Furthermore, recent additional rule revisions further entrench segregation by relieving suburban communities and banks from obligations that promote integration and fair housing practices. These actions reflect a broader pattern of disregard for racial justice under the Trump administration, posing significant setbacks in efforts to achieve equitable and inclusive communities.

https://www.epi.org/blog/the-trump-administrations-new-housing-rules-will-worsen-segregation/