Cleveland neighborhoods were coded to help real estate investors, but the result is a map that harks back to old discriminatory housing practices, say critics.

Brentin Mock reports on recent controversy over a 2015 blog post about a map of Cleveland that looks much like redlining maps from the last century. The map, produced by a local real estate developer, graded the city’s neighborhoods, ostensibly to provide investors with a guide to where they might get the best return on investments.
But, says Mock, the grades highlight race and class segregation throughout the city:
The red “F” category is called the “Warzone” in [James] Wise’s blog, and consists of the African-American East Cleveland neighborhood and several zip codes that have majority black populations, and most of which have incomes below $22,000. The D category, also red, consists of just three neighborhoods, each of which have sizable black and Latino populations, all located in the city and with majority renter populations.
The Home Owners Loan Corporation redlining maps of the 1930s divided the city based on similar metrics, and designations of “neighborhood desirability” drove investment and home loan decisions. “Desirability was defined by the neighborhood’s household incomes, the percentage of homeowners, and by 'homogeneity'—whether white people made up the majority of the neighborhood,” reports Mock.
Some housing advocates wonder if the more recent map could actually help residents in lower-income neighborhoods over the long run. Investors looking to flip properties and make a quick buck might be motivated to steer clear of Cleveland’s most vulnerable neighborhoods, says Mock.
FULL STORY: The Brazen Redlining Happening in Cleveland

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions