A new bill backed by a slate of senators would allocate competitive grants to colleges and universities to analyze, digitize and map historic housing discrimination records, creating the first national database of its kind. The focus of the effort is to research covenants attached to housing deeds, which emerged nationwide around the early 20th century, that made it harder for Black people in many cities to own property. A story from the Wall Street Journal, July 29, 2021
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Legislation to Examine History of Racially Restrictive Covenants
Senator’s Bill Inspired By University of Minnesota’s Work to Map Covenants; Examine Connection Between Past Discrimination & Current Disparities
Track the Senate bill : US Congress S2549, Mapping Housing Discrimination Act