Boston Shines a Light on Housing Equity This April

Boston is putting the spotlight on housing equity this April. Councilors Worrell, Louijeune, and Breadon introduced a resolution officially recognizing Fair Housing Month in the city, honoring decades of advocacy and ongoing efforts to ensure that all residents have access to safe, affordable, and equitable housing.

The resolution highlights historic barriers, including discriminatory policies, redlining, and lending inequities that have limited homeownership opportunities for Black and Latino households. Research shows stark disparities: roughly 40% of Black and 37% of Latino households in Boston own homes, compared to 73% of White households, and mortgage denial rates for Black residents have historically been about three times higher than for White residents.

Rising home prices and heavy rent burdens compound these challenges, particularly in neighborhoods with high displacement rates. The resolution also celebrates Boston’s rich legacy of grassroots activism, from community-led anti-displacement campaigns to innovative zoning reforms championed by the late Robert Terrell, former Director of the Office of Fair Housing.

In recognizing Fair Housing Month, the Council honors local organizations such as Action for Equity, the Boston Tenant Coalition, Reclaim Roxbury, DSNI, Dorchester Not For Sale, Housing Forward, and the Chinese Progressive Association, reaffirming the city’s commitment to policies that promote equity, inclusion, and fair housing opportunities for all Boston residents.