UnderstandingRedliningHow Discriminatory Maps Shaped America
For decades, government-backed maps denied mortgages to entire neighborhoods based on race. The effects are still visible today.
What Is Redlining?
Redlining is a discriminatory practice where financial services—primarily mortgages, insurance, and loans—are systematically denied to residents of certain neighborhoods based on race or ethnicity.
The practice ignores individual qualifications and creditworthiness. Instead, it relies solely on where someone lives. If a neighborhood had a high population of Black residents, it was often marked in red on government maps and excluded from federal mortgage programs.
"The term redlining finds its origins in the U.S. Government's homeownership programs established in the 1920s and 1930s."
The HOLC Grading System
Between 1935 and 1940, the Home Owners' Loan Corporation created color-coded maps grading neighborhoods by "residential security"—in reality, by racial composition.
Best
Neighborhoods deemed "best" for investment. Typically newer developments with homogeneous white populations.
Still Desirable
Areas that had "reached their peak" but were still considered stable and worth investing in.
Definitely Declining
Neighborhoods showing signs of "infiltration" by immigrants or other groups deemed undesirable.
Hazardous
Areas marked in red—often predominantly Black neighborhoods—were denied access to government-insured mortgages.
Learn From the Experts
Watch historians, economists, and policy experts explain the history and impact of redlining.
Housing Segregation and Redlining in America: A Short History
Gene Demby of NPR's Code Switch explains why segregation persists today, decades after the Fair Housing Act.
Video Playlist
5 educational videos
Curated from authoritative educational sources
Key Moments in Redlining History
From the creation of discriminatory maps to modern enforcement efforts
HOLC Created
The Home Owners' Loan Corporation was established as part of the New Deal to help homeowners facing foreclosure during the Great Depression.
FHA Established
The Federal Housing Administration began insuring mortgages—but its underwriting manual explicitly promoted racial segregation.
Redlining Maps Created
HOLC created "Residential Security" maps of over 150 American cities, color-coding neighborhoods by perceived lending risk.
Fair Housing Act
Made discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin illegal—but enforcement remained weak.
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act
Required financial institutions to report mortgage lending data, making discriminatory patterns visible and actionable.
Community Reinvestment Act
Obligated banks to reinvest in low- and moderate-income communities where they operate.
Ongoing Enforcement
Federal agencies continue pursuing redlining cases. Studies show 74% of formerly "hazardous" areas remain low-to-moderate income today.
How Redlining Still Affects Communities
Research shows that neighborhoods marked "hazardous" 80+ years ago still face significant disparities in income, health, and environmental quality.
Economic Inequality
- 74% of neighborhoods HOLC graded "Hazardous" are still low-to-moderate income today
- 64% of formerly redlined areas are majority-minority neighborhoods
- Cities with more redlined minority neighborhoods show greater economic inequality
Environmental Exposure
- Residents in D-graded areas live near twice the density of oil and gas wells
- Higher exposure to air pollutants despite overall air quality improvements
- Less access to parks, trees, and green spaces
Health Outcomes
- Higher rates of cardiovascular disease and impaired lung function
- Increased anxiety and depression from environmental stressors
- Less access to grocery stores, supermarkets, and healthcare facilities
Maternal & Child Health
- Higher rates of preterm birth and low birth weight
- Increased perinatal mortality in formerly redlined neighborhoods
- Associated with socioeconomic deprivation affecting maternal health
Laws That Fight Redlining
Key federal legislation designed to combat housing discrimination and promote fair lending.
Fair Housing Act (1968)
Prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, or sex. Later amended to include disability and familial status.
Learn MoreHome Mortgage Disclosure Act (1975)
Requires financial institutions to report mortgage lending data, making patterns of discrimination visible and enabling enforcement.
Learn MoreCommunity Reinvestment Act (1977)
Requires federally insured banks to help meet the credit needs of all communities where they operate, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Authoritative Resources
Explore these trusted sources for deeper research on redlining and fair housing.
Government Sources
Academic & Research
Interactive Tools
Research your own neighborhood's history using the Mapping Inequality project's interactive maps.
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