The Impact of Historical Residential Discrimination Policies in Richmond, Virginia

Abstract

The impact of historical residential segregation polices has affected many cities in the United States, but none more than Richmond Virginia. Richmond has a long history of disenfranchisement which still is prevalent today. Known as the capital of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, Richmond has cultured a path of differences in educational, occupational, and residential opportunities for African Americans. This paper examines how segregation has been able to exist even with policies that were created to improve conditions for minorities. My research will provide a chronological background for housing polices and examine how the implementation of these policies affected African Americans. The academic article will focus on the current impacts of racial covenants and the Home Owner’s Loan Corporation redlining policies of the 1930s. The article will compare and contrast these former redlined areas county by county and examine current conditions in 2021. Conditions such as healthcare access, social vulnerability, and educational opportunities are highlighted. The HOLC highly desirable sections will be examined to provide the disparities in economics, health and education. It is clear that as a result of such polices African Americans attend schools with fewer resources then those located in other areas throughout the city. The paper makes the case for health disparities between blacks and whites by providing statistics which highlight the differences in life expectancy, median age, poverty, and other social vulnerabilities. Lastly, the article concludes with the current state of the city.