Levittown’s Genesis: Crafting the Suburban Dream
Beneath the surface of Long Island’s seemingly glorious American dream, carefully constructed by Nassau and Suffolk Counties, there exists a reality we shall name Inequitopia. This term delves beyond mere geography, intricately weaving through the tapestry of towns, villages, and hamlets. In drawing a parallel to James Madison’s factions in Federalist Paper 10, these divisions mirror his assertion that factions are inevitable. The persistent red lines of racial segregation, like Madison’s factions, continue to shape the political landscape, echoing the consequences foreseen by Madison—consequences that demand our attention.[i] These divisions, remnants of century-old racial segregation, wield a profound influence on the region’s political dynamics.
Levittown’s Rise Amidst World War II
Our historical exploration unfolds against the backdrop of World War II, giving birth to Levittown—a town financed by Abraham Levitt & Sons just before the 1929 stock market crash.[ii] Navigating the economic challenges of the Depression, the Levitts, led by the self-made patriarch Abraham, crafted homes tailored for the relatively affluent. This dynamic division of labor within the Levitt family saw William spearhead finance, construction, and merchandising, while Alfred, lacking formal training, excelled in design and planning.[iii]
Levittown’s Pinnacle in 1947: Suburban Utopia
Fast-forwarding to Levittown’s zenith in 1947, William Jaird Levitt orchestrated the creation of the largest suburban community in the United States. Levittown, synonymous with high-volume tract house development, emerged as a post-war suburban planning icon. Beyond the physical structures, the Levitt legacy embodies the meticulous crafting of communities and the development of stable neighborhoods rooted in a sense of community and intelligent landscaping.[iv]
Unveiling Shadows: Discrimination
Amidst the Dream however, this seemingly idyllic narrative unravels as Levittown’s shadows cast a stark contrast, revealing a tale of exclusion where the American Dream was confined to whites only. Discriminatory practices, ranging from explicit denials based on race to FHA policies discouraging non-white ownership, expose one of Long Island’s most insidious redlining cases.[v]
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA): Democratizing Homeownership
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) played a pivotal role in shaping homeownership opportunities in the aftermath of Levittown’s creation. Established in 1934 under the National Housing Act and operating under the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the FHA provides mortgage insurance on loans from approved private lenders, making homeownership more accessible, especially to those with lower income or credit scores.[vi]
Racial Exclusion Across Long Island: The Dark Side of Success
Drawing on a 2019 New York Times article titled “Jim Crow South? No, Long Island Today,” it reflects on Newsday’s investigation into Long Island’s real estate practices serves as a poignant reminder that, even four years after its publication, racial discrimination in housing is far from eliminated.
Paired Testing: Uncovering Discrimination
“Paired testing,” a thorough methodology used in the investigation, involved investigators posing as both white and minority homebuyers to meet with real estate agents. The disheartening results reveal black homebuyers being treated differently than their white counterpart’s 49 percent of the time, while Hispanic and Asian buyers encountered unequal treatment 39 and 19 percent of the time, respectively.[vii]
Connection to Fair Housing Act
This discrimination, unveiled by the investigation, blatantly violates the Fair Housing Act, underscoring that changes in rules are far greater than changes in reality. It serves as a stark reminder that, despite legal strides made to dismantle explicit racism in real estate, discriminatory practices persist, perpetuating the shadows of the past.[viii]
Contemporary Challenges and Corrective Actions
This is not merely a historical echo but a contemporary challenge demanding immediate attention and robust corrective actions. New York State Attorney General Letitia James has rightly initiated an investigation into housing discrimination on Long Island, urging individuals with information to come forward.
Governor Cuomo’s Initiatives: Past and Present
Governor Andrew Cuomo initiated a “fair housing enforcement program” in 2016, utilizing paired testing in select areas. Despite an initial round of 88 tests, subsequent efforts have been notably absent, according to a comprehensive Newsday investigation. The absence of persistent testing hampers the fight against discriminatory practices, emphasizing the need for the state to reinvigorate and expand its fair housing enforcement program.[ix]
A Comprehensive Strategy for a More Equitable Future
To effectively address these issues, a multifaceted and transformative approach is essential.
• Housing Reform: Breaking Barriers
Housing Reform is a critical component, involving the implementation of recommendations such as expanding voucher programs and reforming zoning for mixed-income housing. This addresses barriers in urban and suburban areas, promoting inclusivity and equal access to housing opportunities.[x]
• Educational Equity: Empowering Tomorrow
Educational Equity is paramount. Increasing funding for early childhood programs and special needs education addresses systemic educational disparities in both New York City and Long Island, ensuring every child has access to quality education.[xi] Additionally, picture a chess game where your home decides your school. Long Island faces this reality due to a history of redlining—a practice of unfairly restricting certain areas. Leyna Brostowski’s article explains how this historic injustice still affects our schools, leaving minority students in under-resourced schools.[xii] The solution? Brostowski proposes redrawing district lines to create diverse communities. Combining resources from different neighborhoods can ensure all schools get what they need. It’s time to break free from redlining’s grip by redrawing lines and changing school funding, offering every student a fair shot at success.[xiii]
• Healthcare Access: Bridging Gaps
Healthcare Access is directly addressed by implementing recommendations like Medicaid Expansion and incentives for hospital site expansion, leveling the playing field in healthcare for historically underserved communities.[xiv]
• Economic Empowerment: Lifting Communities
Economic Empowerment proposals, including minimum wage increases and tax incentives for employment in historically redlined neighborhoods, align with research suggestions, uplifting economically neglected communities in urban and suburban contexts.[xv]
• Built Environment and Community Development: Nurturing Inclusivity
Built Environment and Community Development are crucial. Investing in sidewalks, bike lanes, and greenspace contributes to community development, fostering an environment that encourages inclusivity.[xvi]
• Food Security Initiatives: Ensuring Equity
Food Security Initiatives ensure food equity. Broadening SNAP coverage and eliminating zoning barriers for supermarkets, as suggested by the research, is essential to ensure food equity across diverse landscapes.[xvii]
These targeted actions, directly informed by the research, signify a collective commitment to dismantling systemic injustices and paving the way for a more equitable future in Long Island and New York City. The persistent presence of discrimination in housing exposes the stark tying these ideas into the broader concept of inequity. Inequitopia cannot truly thrive until every member of the community, regardless of race or ethnicity, has equal access to fair and unbiased housing opportunities. The shadows of discrimination must be dispelled to pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive Long Island.
New York City’s Echoes: Redlining’s Continuing Impact
As we connect this narrative to the broader context, the recent revelations of redlining practices in New York City reveal a chilling continuity in discriminatory housing policies that echo through time and shape the socio-economic fabric of communities. These racist and xenophobic excerpts are from the now-infamous redlining maps of New York City drawn by Homeowners Loan Corporation (HOLC) appraisers in the late 1930s.[xviii] These maps, with their color-coded grading system designating areas as A (“Best”), B (“Still Desirable”), C (“Declining”), and D (“Hazardous”), reflect a deliberate attempt to stigmatize neighborhoods based on racial and ethnic composition. The consequences of such segregationist policies are visible today, as redlined areas exhibit higher levels of segregation, lower economic mobility, and increased vulnerability to predatory lending.[xix]
Governor Hochul’s Bold Step: A Ray of Hope
Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent release of the “Fair Housing Matters NY” report adds a significant layer to this narrative. The report reveals housing problems for different groups in New York, indicating that about one-third of New Yorkers live in places where people of different races and backgrounds are kept apart, with more white families owning homes compared to Black and Hispanic families.[xx]
Governor Hochul is acting by spending $2.2 million to find and stop unfair practices in renting and selling homes. The report also addresses the need to stop redlining and disinvestment, which make it hard for people to find good homes in certain areas. Listening to the stories of individuals in the community, the report emphasizes the real problems people face and sets goals to make housing better, striving for equal opportunities for a good home, regardless of race, age, or abilities.[xxi]
Empowering Change: A Collective Call to Action
Now, the report is open for everyone to read and provide their thoughts. This collective effort aims to ensure that everyone in New York can find a good home, fostering fair housing for all. Let’s speak up for fair housing!
Dismantling Shadows for a Brighter Future
In conclusion, the shadows of discrimination cast by historical redlining practices continue to shape the present and future of housing opportunities in both Long Island and New York City. The discriminatory practices unveiled by investigations and echoed in historical redlining maps underscore the urgency of corrective actions. Governor Hochul’s recent report adds a significant layer to this ongoing narrative, providing insights into the persistent housing problems faced by diverse groups in New York. The call to action is clear: a collective commitment to dismantling systemic injustices, increasing inclusivity, and ensuring fair housing for all. It’s time to dispel the shadows and pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future.
[i] (Madison 1787)
[ii] (Harris 2010)
[iii] (Harris 2010)
[iv] (Harris 2010)
[v] (Harris 2010)
[vi] ((HUD) 2023)
[vii] (The Jim Crow South? No, Long Island Today 2019)
[viii] (The Jim Crow South? No, Long Island Today 2019)
[ix] (The Jim Crow South? No, Long Island Today 2019)
[x] (Egede 2023)
[xi] (Egede 2023)
[xii] (Brostowski 2022)
[xiii] (Brostowski 2022)
[xiv] (Egede 2023)
[xv] (Egede 2023)
[xvi] (Egede 2023)
[xvii] (Egede 2023)
[xviii] (Mapping Inequality; Redlining in New Deal America n.d.)
[xix] (Mapping Inequality; Redlining in New Deal America n.d.)
[xx] (Hochul 2023)
[xxi] (Hochul 2023)
(HUD), US Department of Housing and Urban Development. 2023. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA). October 15. Accessed October 15, 2023. https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/fhahistory.
Brostowski, Leyna. 2022. “”The Housing Loophole: Housing Discrimination’s Impact on Long Island’s Public School System,”.” Hofstra Law Review 50, no. 3, March 1.
Egede, Leonard E et al. 2023. ” “Modern Day Consequences of Historic Redlining: Finding a Path Forward.”.” Journal of general internal medicine vol. 38 6.
FABER, JACOB WILLIAM. APRIL 04, 2023. “The Stains of Redlining.” Vital City.
Harris, Dianne. 2010. Second Suburb: Levittown, Pennsylvania. University of Pittsburgh Press.
Hochul, Governor Kathy. 2023. “Fair Housing Matters NY”. housing segregation, New York: New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s Fair and Equitable Housing Office .
Madison, James. 1787. “Federalist Paper 10.” Federalist Papers.
n.d. Mapping Inequality; Redlining in New Deal America. Accessed October 10/15/23, 2023. https://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/redlining/#loc=12/40.654/-74.064&city=brooklyn-ny&area=D2.
2019. The Jim Crow South? No, Long Island Today. New York: The New York Times. Accessed October 10/15/23, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/opinion/long-island-real-estate-discrimination.html?searchResultPosition=4.
