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Presentation Type

Open Access Poster Presentation

Abstract

The Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) of the federal government implemented the racially discriminatory housing policy known as "redlining" in the 1930s, which still has an effect on Waterloo, Iowa's educational system to this day. The practice targeted neighborhoods considered to be undesirable due to their racial or ethnic makeup, regularly denying residents services or putting tight restrictions on investment, insurance, and mortgage lending. The color-coded maps that HOLC assessors used to identify high-risk zones - areas populated by ethnic minorities were frequently designated in red - are where the term "redlining" first appeared. These laws lead to differences in minority communities' accessibility to resources and educational opportunities in addition to maintaining racial segregation. Redlining was formally prohibited in 1968 when the Fair Housing Act was passed, but its legacy still influences the socioeconomic status of Waterloo neighborhoods, affecting the quality of education and continuing racial disparities.

Start Date

9-4-2024 1:00 PM

End Date

9-4-2024 1:50 PM

Faculty Advisor

Jayme Renfro

Department

Department of Political Science

Department

Social Science

Student Type

Undergraduate Student

Comments

This entry was a part of the following session:

  • Date: Tuesday, April 9, 2024
  • Time: 1:00 to 1:50 p.m.
  • Moderator: Seth Brown

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Apr 9th, 1:00 PM Apr 9th, 1:50 PM

Lingering Effects of Redlining on Secondary Education in Waterloo, Iowa

The Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) of the federal government implemented the racially discriminatory housing policy known as "redlining" in the 1930s, which still has an effect on Waterloo, Iowa's educational system to this day. The practice targeted neighborhoods considered to be undesirable due to their racial or ethnic makeup, regularly denying residents services or putting tight restrictions on investment, insurance, and mortgage lending. The color-coded maps that HOLC assessors used to identify high-risk zones - areas populated by ethnic minorities were frequently designated in red - are where the term "redlining" first appeared. These laws lead to differences in minority communities' accessibility to resources and educational opportunities in addition to maintaining racial segregation. Redlining was formally prohibited in 1968 when the Fair Housing Act was passed, but its legacy still influences the socioeconomic status of Waterloo neighborhoods, affecting the quality of education and continuing racial disparities.