This is a fascinating resource! Historical Redlining laws created racially segregated neighborhoods and locked many communities out of the ability to purchase a home. Today, you can see how those laws are still impacting neighborhoods and continuing to benefit some while harming others.
There is no better archive of redlining than the HOLC (Home Owners' Loan Corporation) maps and the accompanying area descriptions. This site juxtaposes these maps from the 1930s with contemporary health disparities. In most cities, you will see striking similarities between redlining eighty years ago and health disparities today. This is a testament to the long-lasting impact of racial segregation and redlining in shaping the enduring contours of marked inequality in American cities.
Here’s a fascinating look at how immigration policy shapes our economy by the NCRC ( National Community Reinvestment Coalition)
The United States has more immigrants than any country in the world. In 2018, approximately 44.7 million immigrants lived in the United States, accounting for 13.7% of the country’s population. Although immigration has always played a key role in the history and the making of the United States, from the colonial era to the California gold rush and Ellis island, the United States recently saw immigration slow down during the Great Recession. In 2008, the Census Bureau released data from its American Community Survey that reported immigrant numbers were leveling off after years of steady climbing. Today, in light of the coronavirus and the current administration, immigration to the U.S. is becoming more heavily restricted.
Join the Architectural Heritage Society for Part 1 of this 4 part series:
“Have you ever wondered who lived in your house before you? Or maybe even who built it? What was your neighborhood like when your house was first built? How has it changed? Researching the history of your house can answer many of the questions you might have.
Please join us for this Zoom webinar as AHC Education Manager Val Ballestrem takes us through some of the steps necessary to uncover the history of your vintage house (as well as most any other building in the Portland area). Using the latest online sources, local archives, and libraries, you'll learn that the process is not so mysterious when you know what steps to follow and where to look.”
Housing Oregon “Works to Ensure All Oregonians Have a Healthy and Stable Place to Live.”
They are “a statewide association of 75 organizations who are building, financing, and supporting affordable housing.”
Housing Oregon advocates “on the local and state levels for programs and policies that enable our members to provide housing for working families, people with disabilities, seniors, and others struggling to meet their needs in communities throughout Oregon.”
Recent trends show that coveted cities such as San Francisco, Boston, New York City, Seattle, and yes…Portland, “aren’t coveted destinations anymore. Instead, as the chart above shows, from April through August of this year, the inflow-to-outflow ratios in those two cities have declined more than 20%, versus a year earlier. In both cases, departures now significantly exceeded new arrivals.”
“Across the United States, city-to-city migration patterns have been redefined in recent months. Fresh data from LinkedIn’s Economic Graph team shows that smaller metro areas are gaining, some famous big cities are slipping, and hints of de-urbanization can be found across the country.”
The Early History of Portland’s Racist Housing Strategies: Part One
A fascinating piece by Habitat for Humanity, about our city’s racist housing history.
“Portland, Oregon is known nationally and across the globe as one of the most progressive enclaves in the world. We are a national leader in our commitment to combatting climate change. We boast a strong and vibrant LGBTQ+ community. We pride ourselves on our enlightened tax policies and voter-approved bond measures aimed at combating the wealth gap and spurring civic and cultural engagement. We welcome visitors, shun bigotry, and don’t tolerate hate. What’s less known about Portland is the severe history of racism that, to this day, permeates all systems and institutions, including our neighborhoods, schools, laws, and housing policies.”
Housing Market Potential Reaches Highest Level Since 2007
Mark Fleming from First American Title has an interesting market report that’s definitely worth taking a look at. Here are a couple of quotes as well as a link to the full piece.
“Since hitting a low point during the initial stages of the pandemic, the only major industry to display immunity to the economic impacts of the coronavirus is the housing market. “
“Demographic demand and Fed policy keeping rates low has helped housing recover rapidly from the initial stages of the pandemic and remain immune to the ongoing economic impacts of the coronavirus for now, but as with the virus itself, we are not sure if immunity lasts forever.”
