Black women endure legacy of racism in homeownership and making costly repairs

According to a 2022 analysis of federal census data by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, nearly a third of homeowners who earn less than US$32,000 – about 4.8 million people – spent nothing on maintenance or improvements.

I have noticed worrying trends in the circumstances of those who live in housing in disrepair.

In my book, “Stacked Decks,” I explore the connections between urban housing, race, gender and income inequality.

Since at least the 1970s, real estate agents and lenders have exploited the precarious financial positions of Black women and sold them mortgages on homes in poor condition.

Today – 50 years later – these homes pose even greater health and safety risks to their owners than when they first bought them.