Westchester County has a long history of housing segregation.

The roots of housing segregation in Westchester can be traced back to the early 1900s. At that time, many white homeowners in the county opposed the sale or rental of homes to Black people. They formed real estate associations and passed restrictive covenants that prohibited the sale of homes to Black people.

While some progress has been made in recent decades, housing segregation in Westchester persists. A study by the Fair Housing Center of Westchester found that the county’s 100 most segregated census tracts are home to 80% of the county’s Black and Hispanic residents.

Factors that contribute to housing segregation in Westchester include racial steering, redlining, and exclusionary zoning.

Housing segregation negatively effects the lives of people of color in Westchester by reducing access to quality education, increasing exposure to crime, and limiting economic opportunities. People of color who live in segregated neighborhoods are less likely to have access to good jobs.

To address housing segregation in Westchester, there are things that can be done such as strengthening fair housing laws and enforcement, educating the public about housing segregation, and investing in affordable housing.

By taking these steps, we can make progress towards a more just and equitable housing system in Westchester County.