Fair Housing in California: Moving Forward or Spinning Wheels?
Brief
Paavo Monkkonen | Michael Lens | Moira O'Neill | Christopher S. Elmendorf
September 2023
The 1968 Fair Housing Act marked a crucial turning point in U.S. housing history, mandating that local governments receiving federal funds affirmatively further fair housing. This led to ongoing debates on whether to encourage mobility into higher opportunity neighborhoods or invest in disinvested ones, overlooking the role of land use planning in integration. In 2019, California required AFFH analysis in local planning, emphasizing low-income housing placement with opportunity in mind. However, these guidelines often ignore how local land use plans perpetuate segregation. Researchers in this study explore how federal and state regulators can improve the assessment and adjustment of land use plans to advance fair housing goals.
