The racial wealth gap in Washington DC isn't what you think it is. While conventional wisdom suggests Black families couldn't access homeownership due to racist housing practices, author Tanya Maria Golash-Boza reveals a more complex and troubling reality. Drawing from her personal experience growing up in DC's Petworth neighborhood as one of the few white children in a predominantly Black community, Golash-Boza uncovers how systemic disinvestment prevented wealth accumulation despite significant increases in Black homeownership between 1940 and 1970.

However, as white families departed, they took businesses and tax dollars with them. Banks stopped lending in Black neighborhoods, leading to the gradual closure of theaters, grocery stores, and community amenities. The result? Property values remained flat for decades, preventing Black homeowners from building wealth through their largest asset. The urban crisis of the 1970s-80s compounded these challenges. As deindustrialization created a joblessness crisis affecting young Black men, the response was increased policing rather than addressing root causes. 

Looking ahead, Golash-Boza suggests solutions require rethinking housing as a human right through decommodification and limited equity cooperatives. If you're concerned about housing affordability, racial justice, or urban policy, this conversation offers essential insights into how historical policies continue to shape our cities today.

Show Notes:

• Author Recommended Reading: 
  • Chocolate City by Derek Musgrove and Chris Myers Ash
  • Cappuccino City by Derek Highra
  • Black in Place by Brandy Summers
  • African Americans and Gentrification in Washington DC by Sabiyha Prince
  • Intersectional Listening by Ali Martin
• To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/

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