Reform Efforts

Reform Efforts

In an attempt to mitigate the devastating effects of housing discrimination, land theft, and colonization, the following reform efforts have been attempted. These efforts have had varying levels of success.

• Federal legislative efforts

  •  H.B. 40 - Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act “To address the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies between 1619 and 1865 and to establish a commission to study and consider a national apology and proposal for reparations for the institution of slavery, its subsequent de jure and de facto racial and economic discrimination against African Americans, and the impact of these forces on living African Americans, to make recommendations to the Congress on appropriate remedies, and for other purposes.”

• Federal, state and locally funded homeownership programs for Black communities that includes equitable support and housing financing. This includes assistance to Black homeowners to access low mortgage rates and home equity loans as outlined by the Urban Institute. Examples of this include:

  • City of Philadelphia - “Restore, Repair, Renew” program - Restore, Repair, Renew is an initiative of the City of Philadelphia to help Philadelphia homeowners access low-interest loans to invest in their properties. Lenders participating in the program are offering 10-year, 3% fixed Annual Percentage Rate loans that range from $2,500 to $24,999 to eligible homeowners. Restore, Repair, Renew loans can fund a range of home repairs that focus on health, safety, weatherization, accessibility, and quality of life. The goal of the program is to help Philadelphians improve their homes and strengthen their communities