The Legacy of Redlining Maps Based on Demographics
In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act into law. This act was intended to end the practice of redlining, a term that dates back to the 1930s. At that time, federal agencies denoted certain neighborhoods as “unfit” for investment by marking them on maps with red ink. Residents of these neighborhoods, who were predominantly racial or religious minorities, were unable to secure loans to buy houses or start small businesses.
