Research shows that homes in communities of color are consistently undervalued by, in some cases, over $1 million.

The racial gap in home appraisals is present and growing in every major U.S. city, with homes in predominantly white neighborhoods appraised at almost triple the values of homes in neighborhoods made up of people of color, report Brentin Mock and Marie Patino for Bloomberg CityLab.
According to new research from University of Illinois Chicago sociologist Junia Howell that seeks to isolate racial factors in home appraisals, “These disparities stem from a number of causes, including historic discriminatory practices and the modern appraisal approaches that perpetuate them. But they can also reflect prejudices on the part of appraisers.”
In expensive cities like San Francisco and New York, the difference in average appraisals topped $1 million, signaling a huge loss of potential wealth-building opportunities for Black and brown families. “In other less-expensive metro areas like Charleston, South Carolina, the dollar differences were lower, but the disparity was even worse.”
The industry is starting to acknowledge the problem. “In 2021, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation released a study that found that housing appraisal discrimination is ‘pervasive’ throughout the industry. The conversation now among federal authorities and appraisal professionals is how to craft reforms to root it out.”
FULL STORY: Racial Disparities in Home Appraisals Exist in Every Major US City

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.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Washington Legislature Passes Rent Increase Cap
A bill that caps rent increases at 7 percent plus inflation is headed to the governor’s desk.

From Planning to Action: How LA County Is Rethinking Climate Resilience
Chief Sustainability Officer Rita Kampalath outlines the County’s shift from planning to implementation in its climate resilience efforts, emphasizing cross-departmental coordination, updated recovery strategies, and the need for flexible funding.

New Mexico Aging Department Commits to Helping Seniors Age ‘In Place’ and ‘Autonomously’ in New Draft Plan
As New Mexico’s population of seniors continues to grow, the state’s aging department is proposing expanded initiatives to help seniors maintain their autonomy while also supporting family caregivers.
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