Levittown: Separate and Unequal

Summary

The script details the racial discrimination in Levittown, a mass-produced suburb established in 1947, where deeds restricted property sales to Caucasians only, approved by the federal government. This policy led to a significant wealth gap between white and black families. Despite the deeds being unenforceable today, the legacy of segregation persists, with only 1% of Levittown's residents being black. The script also discusses current efforts to address housing discrimination and calls for reparations, including fair share housing laws and realtor accountability.

Takeaways

• 🏡 Levittown, built by William Levitt in 1947, was the first mass-produced suburb in the U.S. but excluded African Americans from purchasing homes.
• 📜 Levitt placed a clause in the deeds of Levittown homes prohibiting resale or rental to African Americans, which was approved by the federal government.
• 🚫 The practice of redlining, where banks refused to make loans in neighborhoods with Black residents, reinforced segregation and prevented Black families from buying homes in Levittown.
• 💰 White families in Levittown gained significant equity through homeownership, while Black families missed out on this financial growth, contributing to the racial wealth gap.
• 🏠 Despite housing prices being affordable in the 1940s, the value of homes in Levittown has since skyrocketed, with homes now worth around $500,000, further widening the wealth divide.
• ⚖️ Discriminatory housing practices created long-term segregation, and even though racial restrictions are no longer enforceable, their impact persists today.
• 📊 A stark racial divide remains in Levittown, with only about 1% of residents being Black, while 84% are white.
• 📈 Housing advocates argue that segregation and redlining led to generational wealth disparities, preventing Black families from building equity and passing wealth to their children.
• 💵 Advocates for reparations call for significant financial compensation to Black families affected by housing discrimination, including creating funds to help bridge the wealth gap.
• 🏘️ State laws, like fair share housing in New Jersey, have been successful in providing housing for low-income residents, showing a potential path to reducing racial disparities in other communities.

Q & A

What was the racial restriction in Levittown's property deeds?

Levittown's property deeds restricted the sale and rental of homes to only Caucasians, prohibiting African Americans from buying or occupying homes in the community.

How was the racial discrimination in Levittown supported by the federal government?

The federal government supported racial discrimination in Levittown by approving the restrictive property deeds that barred African Americans, and through the Federal Housing Administration, which enabled the builder, William Levitt, to obtain bank guarantees for loans.

What is redlining, and how did it affect housing opportunities for African Americans?

Redlining was a practice where banks, backed by federal policies, refused to provide loans to neighborhoods with African American residents. This severely limited housing opportunities for African Americans, preventing them from buying homes in certain areas.

How did the homeownership restrictions in Levittown contribute to the racial wealth gap?

The restrictions on African Americans buying homes in Levittown prevented them from gaining home equity. Over time, white families built wealth as their home values increased, while African Americans missed out on this opportunity, contributing to the racial wealth gap.

How are the racial clauses in Levittown's deeds viewed today?

Although the racial clauses in Levittown's deeds are no longer enforceable due to the Fair Housing Act of 1968, the wording remains in the deeds as a reminder of the discriminatory policies of the past.

What is 'fair share housing,' and how has it been implemented in places like New Jersey?

Fair share housing is a policy that requires at least 10% of all new housing in a community to be set aside for low-income residents, who are often people of color. This policy has been implemented in places like New Jersey, leading to increased property values and better opportunities for children of color.

What role did Irwin Quintine play in the fight against housing discrimination?

Irwin Quintine, who was denied a home in Levittown, became a prominent fair housing activist. He worked to dismantle discrimination, and his legacy is honored with a plaque and town building named after him.

How has the demographic makeup of Levittown changed over the years?

Today, just over 1% of Levittown residents are Black, and around 84% are white. This demographic imbalance reflects the long-lasting effects of the discriminatory policies that shaped the community.

What are some contemporary efforts to address housing discrimination on Long Island?

Contemporary efforts include state legislators requiring real estate agents to testify about discriminatory practices and the creation of a data archive in Nassau County to reveal homes and communities with racist deeds and covenants.

What economic impact did the racial discrimination in housing have on Black families?

Black families who were denied the opportunity to buy homes in places like Levittown lost out on building equity and wealth. As home values in Levittown soared to around $500,000, Black families missed out on significant financial gains, deepening the racial wealth gap.