Introduction
This paper exposes the dual roles of the history and present reality of a Black Public that is densely found along the Atlantic Coast within Washington, DC. The research process delves into practices such as redlining and pervasive discrimination to expose how these housing policies, which were deeply rooted in the system, are still affecting predominantly contoured Black communities negatively. This paper supports its position by conducting academic research which is reinforced with real data. The above document hinges its arguments on ignoring structural imbalances in keeping the Black population who lives in such localities in abject homelessness. Washington DC’s neighbourhoods in close locations to the Atlantic Coast have continuously confronted the homelessness dilemma, proving that a disproportionate amount of cases appear among individuals who are African Americans. Through this writing piece, I will be disclosing how the cultural remnants, inequitable measures, and long-standing inequality as a result of those inequalities create any imbalance. Instead of concentrating only on a single cause, we aim to investigate what lies beneath redlining and other forms of social injustice which contribute to persistent cases of homelessness among the black population.
The role of redlining and other forms of systemic discrimination in the disproportionate number of Black persons experiencing homelessness in Washington, DC’s Atlantic Coast neighborhoods
Given that a mode of understanding led us into the current state of D.C. African American homelessness, this demands a look back on the historical roots of systematic racism. A pivotal feature was the appearance of redlining in the 1900s, which concerns the loan practices tightly associated with prejudice against customers. This technique that was used was basically the denial of the mortgage loans and the various other kinds of financial aid to the application made by the communities that were identified based on their racial make-up and which were hence left in isolated districts that could not easily access any financial help (Massey & Denton, 1993). There was this broad association of racial prejudice, which was particularly strong in Washington, DC. These went to the extent of having people with low incomes out of the African Americans concentrated in the sea border area of Anacostia and Congress Heights.
Washington, DC’s Atlantic Coast neighborhoods persist in an unfavourable legacy caused by redlining and are, in the long run, a dreadful one, particularly to shackled black residents who have disproportionately been the victims of housing unrest issues. Of great note to mention is the fact that researches reveal that in communities commonly redline, overarching attributes like poverty, poor housing, and limited access to social amenities are among the key concerns (Rothstein, 2017). Overall, such a case gives rise to a situation in which African Americans have a greater possibility of being evicted or displaced, and some of them even become homeless. The poor numbers of the low-income Black housing units mean that they have nowhere to stay, which worsens their stability situation and contributes to the vicious cycle.
To sum up, as in other areas so in this City’s case, besides the practice of redlining, black neighborhoods are discriminated against by systemic discrimination in principal institutions as well. Such e.g. unequal educational and employment opportunities as well as discrimination in health enable the accumulation among the Black population of the City of higher economic instability and housing insecurity than White one (Pager & Shepherd, 2008). The unfair employment practices, such as quotas on hiring, which are conducted for newcomers, and unfair practices on paying rates are the reasons that make it not possible to live in a home since there is no money coming from outside (Bertrand & Mullainathan, 2004). On the other side of the coin, restricted healthcare opportunities, including the ones that are socially necessary as well as other services such as health, create a high risk of homelessness due to the worsening of Black inequality (Williams & Mohammed, 2009). It is through the inaction with regard to these factors, or the deliberate deterioration of these areas, that creates a social reproduction of poverty and homelessness that has a larger effect on black people in the neighborhoods around the Atlantic Coast.
Additionally, the railway tracks were the online link between the neighbours who lived on either side of the tracks, and the process of gentrification in the last few years has only made the removal of black neighbourhoods even faster. There are two definitions of gentrification. The first definition is the migration of affluent, mostly white population into historically Black neighbourhoods, which eventually snowballs into substantial home value and rent, up in surplus of the budget native residents have (Freeman, 2005). As an outcome of gentrification, capital starts entering places where its presence was previously undetectable. While they may be beneficial in some cases, more often than not, they profit by forcing lower-level Black families out of their houses and pushing them deeper into reverse social status and homelessness (Hackworth & Smith, 2001). The situation of being displaced caused by gentrification shows that an omnipresent systemic discrimination and economic marginalization on the Atlantic coast is still an issue.
Ensuring that the origin of homelessness in the Atlantic Coast districts of Washington, DC, would be solved requires a holistic strategy that addresses both the present-day problems and adverse history. Community representatives should pay special attention to those entities that would allow African Americans to continue getting equal housing, healthcare, education and job access. The accomplishment of this involves such things as the construction of cheap housing and putting the laws that are against discrimination to effect both employment housing and helping to grow the social services that assist such people in need. Along with measures directed at reducing the negative effects of gentrification, a special focus on a community-combined approach to development should be made that contributes to those communities with affordability and empowers residents in the long term.
Resolutely tackling the prevalent problem of homelessness among Black residents in the District’s Atlantic Coast communities certainly calls for innovative and extensive strategies that endeavour to eliminate the structural inequalities and ensure housing stability for the D.C. population in general. Sustainable housing policies are significant, and their primary goal is the equal capacity of all citizens for affordable housing provision through means such as inclusive zoning laws, augmentation of funding for affordable housing projects, and increasing the coverage of housing assistance programs (Shierholz, 2020). Besides, community land trusts may be the other way around by allowing residents to co-own and run the land, which means security of keeping affordable prices for long as well as lowering the risk of displacement (Garrido & Shank, 2017). Anti-displacement measures like rent control and tenants’ assistance for relocation can be a tool for saving poor and neighborhood residents from eviction and feeling squeezed out by the high rents of gentrification. Besides this, the organizations must focus on opportunities for economic empowerment, such as job training and education to deal with poverty and at the exact time to offer avenues for safe income (Bivens & Shierholz, 2020). Community engagement and empowerment are key aspects of this development, which means a portion of residents should be engaged in the decision-making processes where they can speak their hearts and area associations that are the alliance of local government, grassroots activists, and neighbourhood associations (Shierholz, 2020).
Conclusion
In the final analysis, drawbacks of institutional prejudices and past wrongdoings account for the existence of more Black people who are homeless in the Atlantic coastal community of Washington, DC, than the chronic failings that contribute to such misfortune. The housing instability in African American communities is even growing, being the result of gentrification, enduring economic imbalances, and redlining, which remains the basis of the poor housing market patronage in black communities. For crisis resolution, coordination is required among the groups to rip the barriers and make policies which are on the banner of social justice and equity in housing for everybody in the country. We may attain social justice and equity by addressing the causes of Black homelessness and pursuing its eradication rather than only providing temporary solutions. Furthermore, policymakers can strive to construct more complete communities where every citizen feels safe, and both houses and opportunities are accessible. This inclusive society considers housing, economic, and social justice aspects through a broad approach.
References
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