LATINOS AND HOUSING POLICIES
The United States has been seen as a
country full of hope and opportunities for many. Immigrants from all over
Latino America travel to this country to fulfill a better life or a more
comfortable life. However, throughout history it has been difficult for many of
them to be able to do so because of the housing policies that have been
enforced. So, how can Latinos really live comfortably in the United States if
these housing policies have made it nearly impossible to do so? In this blog
post, I argue that housing policies, in New York City specifically, have been a
huge obstacle for Latinos to live in homes securely.
It’s saddening to know that many Latinos
and other people of color have only had access to the “slums” of New York.
Since the 1930’s, the government has been segregating whites and people of
color by giving whites more opportunities to housing with federally insured
mortgages (Rothstein, 2012). This policy excluded people of color. By 1973, the
projects had gained its bad reputation of being impoverished and socially
dysfunctional. Housing policies and neighborhood conditions can serve as both
outcomes and factors to social and economic mobility. Unfortunately though, the
way in which these living conditions have been set up throughout the years, make
it difficult for much improvement.
Gentrification and displacement have been
some key obstacles as to why Latinos and other “minority” races have been
unable to live in their homes securely. Industrial jobs in New York have been
relocated to other parts of the world and the city has transformed from an
industrial to a post-industrial city, according to Luis Aponte-Parés. This, in
turn, displaced industrial workers and their families; a lot of them were
Puerto Ricans and African Americans were not integrated into the new economy. Latinos and other people of color have
experienced massive urban dislocation, but these losses were not only of
buildings and people, it was also their primary life spaces.
Citation
Parés, Luis Aponte. "What's Yellow and White and Has
Land All Around It?: Appropriating Place in Puerto Rican Barrios." N.p.,
n.d. Web.
Rothstein, Richard.
"Public Housing: Government-Sponsored Segregation."The American
Prospect. N.p., 11 Oct. 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
This was a really interesting post! I can definitely see evidence of the statement that you made: " Since the 1930’s, the government has been segregating whites and people of color by giving whites more opportunities to housing with federally insured mortgages (Rothstein, 2012). This policy excluded people of color." Where I live, Poughkeepsie, there's the town of Poughkeepsie that's on the border of the inner city that I live in. There is a lot of federally funded housing in the area and from what I can see, the good housing in the town is often given to Caucasians and people of color are often left with the housing in the inner city (which is not the best) despite the fact that they both cost the same.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate this post, only because its pretty much the same feeling I get when I come home and I see the noticeably different living circumstances where I live as opposed to just a couple blocks down. It's mostly an upsetting feeling seeing the difference and seeing that although everything around us is progressing, minorities, like myself, are still living in a standstill. The housing policies are in fact hindering our development as a community, so I agree with your statement "I argue that housing policies, in New York City specifically, have been a huge obstacle for Latinos to live in homes securely.".
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post, I feel as if Latinos are often funneled into a working life because of what's been seen back at home. Stages of development play a big role in the social castes we implement in capitalistic societies. Often times Latinos just fall under the working class, and that's not necessarily a bad thing because that brings about this new idea of the American dream. Although it's a transnational one it's still involves the dream of property ownership and ultimately a steady income even when retired. But I do agree with you that there is no excuse for the poor living conditions Latinos often go through but this can be fixed with better community housing, which is affordable to low income families but instead what we are seeing now is an increased effect of gentrification. It is indeed a shame that we are limited because of our environments though.
ReplyDeleteI can relate so much to this post. When I first moved to New York and my mom was looking for a place to live, she found a house in a predominately Jewish area. The landlord asked her for her ethnicity and religious background. Later that day the landlord contacted her telling her that she didn't meet the requirements because the preferred a Jewish family to live in the house. Its sad that because of your religious background or ethnicity people can not live in certain areas.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post and I can relate to it very much. From what I've seen, Latinos are always living lower-income neighborhoods while people of other races such as whites live in higher income neighborhoods and the difference is very much noticeable. Just by walking from avenue to avenue in my neighborhood back home, I can see the resounding difference and it just is unfair. I agree with your statement, "Unfortunately though, the way in which these living conditions have been set up throughout the years, make it difficult for much improvement", because there is no change happening and this needs to change.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. I do agree that perhaps gentrification and displacement are reasons why Latinos and other minority groups have not be able to live in their homes securely. I also agree that many minority groups have been displaced as industrial workers. However, I'm not sure I would call the relocation of industrial jobs a bad thing necessarily. Some industrial jobs are located adjacent to residential zones. Although it would be very convenient, especially for a low-income family, to be able to simply walk to their industrial job, it is hazardous. Its just a thought. I am aware someone needs to do the job, but I do not think anyone should have to rely on these dangerous jobs to sustain themselves or their families.
ReplyDeleteI agree that gentrification has been a source of insecurity in latino communities. You touched on one of the main issues of gentrification. Many people argue that this influx of capital, entertainment projects, and development adds to the community. The weakness in this argument is that the residents that helped create the culture that gentrifiers look for, are not reaping the benefits of this new economy. You also touch on the racial segregation that has occurred in these areas as a result of government policy. As these areas are gentrified, diversity will decrease. At first there will be an increase in diversity, but as more and more residents with greater economic influence move in, historically disadvantaged groups will be forced out.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point that it is saddening to see that Latinos and people of color in general have only had access to the slums of the cities. I find that extremely saddening because Latinos and other minority groups have assisted with the creation of construction of some of the most complex engineering and construction projects throughout the history of this nation is for some reason decades later we continue to do the same thing and we are still given less than what we deserve, whether it be where they live or how much they get paid. Gentrification is going to be the end of inner city diversity within NYC's most influential areas. Sort of like a systematic white washing of the culture within these neighborhoods.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad to see that many families have come to the United States in hope of living a better lifestyle and instead have been pushed to live in the low income areas to keep them away from progressing in society. It is not fair to see people work hard to stay in the same struggle they started in because society has not given them the opportunity to do so. It has been an ongoing issue like you mentioned and it is not like it has even improved. Gentrification is an issue that we have been able to see it happen and some even experience it first hand which is just not fair to those that have been living in the area for years.
ReplyDeleteGentrification is the main reason why Latinos are not able to get confortable in an area because it doesn’t secure a location. It’s pretty upsetting because people come to the United State in hope for a better lifestyle but instead gets bullied into society. It has become a very improved situation now in the 20th century and it has become an ongoing struggle.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting article and I like how it places the blame on the government but I wonder how this would look if you include the polices that lead to the further gentrification and marginalization of Latino/a and Black people in New York. Also, you can include policies that "Broken Window"(the precursor stop and frisk) that explain the criminalization of Latinos/as and how that is connected to marginalization.
ReplyDeleteThere are some interesting points you bring out in this blog. I didn't realize that it was since the 30s the government by all these laws and and by those unfair mortgages. Its sad how after decades of bad housing policies the reputation that was negatively built up against them. These Latinos and other groups that struggled against these unfair situations such as gentrification. It really shows how much Latinos have struggled, and how long we have came since.I'm glad that it's better but I still personally know too many Latinos that are still struggling, and it's too disheartening.
ReplyDeleteThere are some interesting points you bring out in this blog. I didn't realize that it was since the 30s the government by all these laws and and by those unfair mortgages. Its sad how after decades of bad housing policies the reputation that was negatively built up against them. These Latinos and other groups that struggled against these unfair situations such as gentrification. It really shows how much Latinos have struggled, and how long we have came since.I'm glad that it's better but I still personally know too many Latinos that are still struggling, and it's too disheartening.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. I believe that it is horrible that blacks and Latinos continue to be marginalized even today. It is sad that money dictates where one can live. especially when the reason one has to move is because there rent went up a couple dollars and no they can no longer afford to live in a place that they called home for many years.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the what you said about immigrants being at a disadvantage in America because of the policies that have been in effect. Also one way in which immigrants in need of help with housing have been somewhat segregated with white are from public housing projects.
ReplyDelete