Trump, Zoning, and Discrimination

Michael D. TannerThere is perhaps no more archetypical example of the American suburban lifestyle than Levittown. The New York community wasdeveloped starting in 1947 as a  new opportunity for Americans to own their own homes. The original 2,000 unit planned community sold out almost immediately and became nearly synonymous with the dream of single‐​family homes, white picket fences, and the growing American middle‐​class.It alsoincluded in its lease documents a  provision that property in the community could not“be used or occupied by any person other than members of the Caucasian race.”Such racist practices were actively supported and encouraged by state, local, and federal governments. For example, the Home Owners ’ Loan Corporation, a federal agency that provided low‐​interest mortgages to first time homebuyers, insisted that any property it covered must include a clause in the deed forbidding resale to non‐​whites.Even after such explicit forms of discrimination were outlawed, many communities continued to fight efforts by low ‐​income people and people of color to move to their neighborhoods, although their arguments have shifted to terms that do not explicitly mention race. One of the most important and effective tools for maintaining “the character of the community” has been zoning.Zoning restrictions, including limiting construction to only single ‐​family homes, as well as parking requirements, minimum lot sizes, yard/​setback...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs