The Federal Government Won’t Stop Home Appraisal Bias. Local Officials Can.

As federal enforcement decreases under the Trump administration, racial bias in home appraisals continues to undermine property values and widen the racial wealth gap. This op-ed argues that cities can take the lead, and Philadelphia offers a model.

Philadelphia created a Home Appraisal Bias Task Force in 2021, and the effort expanded under Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration. The city requires fair housing and valuation bias training for appraisers, launched a Home Appraisal Equity Program, and incorporated anti-bias strategies into its $2 billion H.O.M.E. housing plan. State reforms, such as alternative licensing pathways and mandatory training in Pennsylvania, complement local action.

The authors caution that appraisal bias is systemic, not anecdotal, but transparency in appraisal data remains limited. With federal protections weakened, local governments have an opportunity — and responsibility — to implement reforms that promote fairness in home valuation, stabilize housing markets, and help close the racial wealth gap.