National Fair Housing Month-Plan for April
By Dr. Shelley Viola Murphy
There is, in fact, a link. There is a deep and complex link between African American genealogy and the National Fair Housing Act. It includes historical wrongs, which we are all familiar with, the fight for civil rights, which also continues today, and current attempts to make sure that everyone has the same housing options. Housing has been consistent fight since I began to help my father in his real estate office when I was only 9 yrs old. Here is a simple outline of the problems, the solutions, and the ways that people can get involved, especially in April 2024, which is a significant month for both thinking about the past and taking action in the present.
First, let’s look at this topic in the framework of its history. African American history is becoming more and more popular, and it often turns up stories of being moved, being segregated, and being treated unfairly. When the law passed in 1968, the National Fair Housing Act was a landmark law that was meant to end discrimination in the sale, rental, and funding of housing based on sex, race, religion, national origin, or gender. It was supposed to be a direct answer to the civil rights movement’s calls for fairness and justice, including the basic right to a safe place to live without being discriminated against. Well hells bells, still waiting on that.
Even after the Act was passed, there have always been problems and difficulties for African Americans in this country. The enforcement has been spotty at best, and discrimination in housing policies is still going on today. HUD is doing what it can and I commend them for it. African Americans still have a hard time getting approval for a mortgage because of things like redlining, predatory loans, and appraisal bias. These problems make the racial wealth gap even bigger. Tracing family trees often shows different patterns of moving around and problems with owning land that affect many generations.
Some localities today are studying the history of housing discriminatory practices by looking at the neighborhood covenants, etc. Such as the one that Jordy Yager at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center in Charlottesville. He is the Director of Digital Humanities leads the trail blazing efforts to examining equity through history by mapping racist covenants, infrastructures within the city of Charlottesville, Virginia. https://mappingcville.com/2019/01/20/racial-covenants/
Genealogy and fair housing in the United States intersect in ways that affect African Americans today. Understanding one’s family history can shed some light on patterns of racial segregation, redlining, and discriminatory housing policies that have shaped current socioeconomic disparities. Here are my version that illustrate how genealogy and fair housing relate and their impact on African Americans:
Genealogical research can uncover how African American families were historically affected by redlining, a practice where banks and insurance companies systematically denied loans and insurance to people in neighborhoods primarily inhabited by African Americans. By tracing family histories, individuals can discover if their ancestors were denied housing opportunities, leading to a generational impact on wealth accumulation and access to quality education, healthcare, and employment. This historical insight helps explain current economic disparities faced by African Americans. It provides a context for understanding why African American communities might have lower homeownership rates and higher poverty levels. Acknowledging this historical injustice is crucial for advocating for policies aimed at reparations and systemic change. It is simple to see, a google search will tell all.
Uncovering displacement and gentrification through family oral histories is another example. The research can also reveal patterns of displacement due to urban renewal and gentrification. Many African American families were forced to move from their homes to make way for development projects or due to the rising costs of living in gentrifying neighborhoods. By mapping family addresses over generations, one can see the movement patterns and how families were pushed out of their historical neighborhoods. This displacement has long-term effects on community cohesion, cultural identity, and access to ancestral homes, which are integral to an individual’s sense of belonging and history. It also highlights the importance of fair housing laws and policies that protect against displacement and ensure affordable housing for all. Understanding these patterns through genealogy emphasizes the need for historical acknowledgment and targeted interventions to support displaced communities.
These examples underscore the importance of genealogy in understanding the historical context behind current housing inequalities faced by African Americans. They illustrate how systemic racism in housing has not only impacted past generations but continues to affect African Americans today. By acknowledging and addressing these historical injustices, there can be a move towards more equitable housing policies and reparative measures for those adversely affected.
We know there has been some progress since the Act’s beginning, such as changes that protect people from being discriminated against because of their family situation or condition. Activists, community groups, and court challenges have worked to raise awareness, strengthen enforcement, and start grassroots projects that aim to promote fair housing practices. These efforts help slowly take down the systemic hurdles that have hurt African American communities in the past.
More and more people today are aware of the wrongs done in the past and how they still affect African American families today. A lot of different groups are working together to solve these problems through teaching, advocacy, and changing the laws. But the problems still exist, such as gentrification, the lack of affordable housing, and discrimination that needs to be stopped and people need to speak out against it.
April 2024 is here. What can people do to bring this subject to light? Look local. I worked for a local housing nonprofit (Piedmont Housing Alliance, https://piedmonthousingalliance.org) in Virginia, and was involved with some of these ideas over the years.
Activities to consider:
Think about holding a teaching event. Help set up or organize events that teach people about the background of the Fair Housing Act, how it affected African American communities, and how important genealogy is for learning about one’s own and other people’s pasts. Find groups in the neighborhood that can work with you, like schools, libraries, community centers, historical societies, and genealogy groups. During this month, these groups often have speakers and free presentations.
It’s always a good time to talk about how you personally support and understand the issue. If you want to support laws that promote fair housing, take part in forums that address housing discrimination, or support efforts to close the racial wealth gap, April is a great month to do just that. Use your own social media as a campaign to get more people involved in your neighborhood and spread the word.
Check to see if there are any community projects going on in your area right now. See if you can take part. Don’t forget to see what local governments might be offering. Look for groups that are trying to support affordable housing, fix up neighborhoods that have been ignored for a long time, and give legal help to people who are being discriminated against. If you have time to help, tools to offer, or knowledge that can help the topic, please do so.
In most places, people are working on family projects. Now is a good time to support and take part in projects that help African American families find their ancestors and learn how housing policies from the past have affected their family trees. This is a strong way to link human stories to the bigger story of fair housing and civil rights.
For those who really want to help, you could become an advocate for and back policies that help the Fair Housing Act’s goals. One way to do this is to work with your local, state, and federal lawmakers to support laws that fix current housing problems and promote fairness and justice. Get in touch with the housing office in your area and ask how you can help.
Doing these things in April 2024 not only follows the letter of the National Fair Housing Act, but it also helps the drive toward fairness and equality in housing. There is only one month designated to remember the struggles of the past, enjoy the progress that has been made, and commit to the work that needs to be done to make sure that everyone has access to fair housing. This is especially true for African American communities, whose histories are deeply connected with the legacy of this important law.
A “Fair Housing and Family History Festival” is another idea for a program to hold in April to honor the Fair Housing Act and its link to African American history. “To teach the community about the importance of fair housing, look into the links between housing policies and African American genealogy, and push for continued progress toward housing equity” could be a goal. The goal of this event is to raise awareness, celebrate success, and deal with ongoing problems in fair housing. It could include educational workshops, advocacy, and community involvement. “Fair housing and genealogy” could be the subject of educational workshops or seminars at this event. If someone can’t make it in person, make sure you offer virtual chances. Activists, lawmakers, and community leaders could talk on panels about the current state of fair housing, ongoing problems, and ways to advocate for change and make policies more fair. Give local housing authorities, non-profits, and advocacy groups tables or booths with information on fair housing, affordable housing programs, and community support services. You could also have genealogy booths where people can sign up for one-on-one consultations or to access online genealogy resources.
For those looking to dive deeper into the topic of Fair Housing in the USA and learn more about National Fair Housing Month, a wealth of resources is available online. Here are some references and websites that offer a look at fair housing laws, policies, advocacy, educational materials, and ways to get involved:
1. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):
HUD is the federal agency responsible for national policy and programs that address America’s housing needs, improve and develop the nation’s communities, and enforce fair housing laws. Their site offers detailed information on fair housing laws, how to file a complaint if you believe your rights have been violated, and resources for housing counseling.
2. National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA):
https://nationalfairhousing.org
The NFHA works to eliminate housing discrimination and to ensure equal housing opportunity for all people through leadership, education, outreach, membership services, public policy initiatives, community development, and enforcement.
3. Fair Housing Contact Service (FHCS)
They provides counseling, education, and advocacy for victims of housing discrimination. Their site offers resources on understanding your rights under the Fair Housing Act, how to file a discrimination complaint, and local housing services.
4. HUD’s Fair Housing Month:
Every April, HUD celebrates Fair Housing Month to mark the anniversary of the Fair Housing Act and to recommit to the goal of eliminating housing discrimination. Look for announcements on HUD’s website or social media channels for events, initiatives, and educational materials specific to Fair Housing Month.
5. For the kids, check out the book I wrote to help kids understand about fair housing…Jay-Jay the Giraffe: Looking for the Murphy Farm:
https://www.amazon.com/Jay-Jay-Giraffe-Looking-Murphy-Farm/dp/1936439565/
6. FamilySearch African American Genealogy Records:
https://www.familysearch.org/en/info/african-american-resources
FamilySearch offers a comprehensive collection of resources for African American genealogy, including free access to historical records, research guides, and articles to help individuals trace their ancestors.
7. Ancestry.com African American Collection:
https://www.ancestry.com/africanamerican
Ancestry.com provides a specialized collection for African American research, featuring databases that include U.S. Colored Troops records, Freedman’s Bank records, slave narratives, and more. Note that Ancestry.com may require a subscription for full access.
8. BlackPast:
BlackPast is an online reference guide to African American history that includes an extensive genealogy section. It provides over 6,000 articles about the history and achievements of African Americans, resources for genealogical research, and links to other valuable databases and archives.
Family Tree Girl 
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