Redlining and Climate Change in Richmond, Va by Yumika Fushimi

Redlining and CLIMATE CHANGE i n Ri c h m o nd , VA

What is “redlining”?

Redlining

is “a discriminatory

practice that puts services (financial and otherwise) out of reach for residents of certain areas based on race or ethnicity.

It can be seen in the systematic denial of mortgages, insurance, loans, and other financial services based on location”

In 1934, the government created the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to restore the housing market amidst the Great Depression.

In the 1930s, the FHA introduced “redlining” in over 200 cities, where they categorized neighborhoods into four categories based on racial populations.

The neighborhoods with more minority residents were marked in red, which meant they were ineligible for FHA support and financial resources.

HISTORY

Redlining is a problem because

it stands as one of the biggest examples of systemic racism. Even though such practice was formally outlawed in 1968 with the Fair Housing Act, past-redlined areas still don’t have the same access

to financial and health resources as white neighborhoods, and the stagnant inequality still lives today.

How it’s affecting Richmond today

Even in our own city of Richmond, there are redlined neighborhoods that exist today, which tend to be where low income and people of color live.

The redlined neighborhoods do not have the financial support or resources to have better living conditions, which means they don’t have the means to combat the effects of climate change, such as flooding and urban heat.

Redlined neighborhoods in Richmond are more exposed to extreme urban heat and flooding because of these 2 main factors:

- the concrete pavements (causes flooding and absorbs heat) and

- the lack of trees (provides shade to cool down temperature and its soil soaks up water, reducing water levels).

how to get involved: 1. PARTICIPATe.

Seek out organizations and groups in your community (RVAGreen 2050 is a great place to start!) to get involved in your local area.

Participating can also include volunteering, attending protests, and donating too.

2. raise awareness.

Raising awareness about climate change and equity can start with educating yourself first, so that you can also explain when you spread awareness to others. You can use social media platforms to raise awarness, or even talking to your group of school friends.

3. HOLD THE OFFICE AND CITY ACCOUNTABLE.

Write letters/emails and call the city and state officials regarding climate change.

Resources + Find out ways to get involved in RVAGreen 2050 Plan here. + Learn more about what Race has to do with Climate Change in Richmond here. + Join the VA Sierra Club, a grassroots organization calling for climate action.

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THANK YOU

by Yumika Fushimi

Fall 2020

Sources: - https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/redlining.asp - https://www.npr.org/2017/05/03/526655831/a-forgotten-history-of-how-the-u-s-government-segregated-america - https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustainablecitiescollective/short-history-redlining/1162160/ - https://www.thoughtco.com/redlining-definition-4157858 - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1015772503007 - https://www.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=9b784d9e79324d1f97210b25afe1b91d - https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/08/24/climate/ racism-redlining-cities-global-warming.html#:~:text=In%20 the%201930s%2C%20federal%20officials,abundance%20of%20 heat%2Dtrapping%20pavement