Approximately one-third of New York residents reside in segregated counties, with a staggering 95% of Black and African-American citizens living in areas heavily segregated from white households, according to a study unveiled on Friday by Governor Kathy Hochul’s office.
The comprehensive report, which scrutinized housing segregation, discrimination, and subpar living conditions across the state, offered novel insights into the striking racial and income disparities in New York’s housing sector. The study also suggested eight potential solutions for tackling these issues.
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This report was released after state legislators dismissed Hochul’s initiatives to boost housing across New York within the next decade through a combination of developmental schemes, such as constructing around commuter rail stations and bypassing local zoning regulations for eligible housing projects.
Despite the setback, Governor Hochul remains committed to pursuing aspects of her housing plan in the coming weeks. She has emphasized the urgent need for housing reform, citing the insufficient housing supply that is causing rental and home-buying costs to soar, further exacerbated by inflation and the pandemic.
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Hochul stated that her administration will prioritize efforts to dismantle historic, systemic, and deeply rooted segregated living patterns and eradicate housing discrimination. She expressed her eagerness to collaborate with federal, state, and local partners to enact bold measures that will foster more diverse communities and create and maintain affordable housing for a greater number of New Yorkers.
New York’s housing landscape continues to be marked by inequality: While two-thirds of households own their homes, only one-third of Black and African-American families, and a mere 25% of Hispanic and Latino households, are homeowners.
The study also revealed that households with women, children, or a disabled member are more likely to experience higher poverty rates or be categorized as low-income.
The report, prepared by the Fair and Equitable Housing Office and Office of Research and Strategic Analysis of New York State Homes and Community Renewal, offered several recommendations, such as improving housing access for people with disabilities, developing more affordable housing with community support, and enhancing access to fair housing education and enforcement.
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