What is Redlining?
Redlining was a discriminatory practice that began in the 1930s when the federal government's Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) created maps of American cities to assess lending risk. These maps color-coded neighborhoods based on their perceived creditworthiness:
A (Green) - "Best"
B (Blue) - "Still Desirable"
C (Yellow) - "Declining"
D (Red) - "Hazardous"
Neighborhoods with predominantly Black, Hispanic, immigrant, or Jewish residents were typically marked in red (D zones) and denied home loans and other financial services, regardless of individual residents' creditworthiness.
Impact on San Jose
In San Jose, redlining practices systematically disadvantaged communities of color, creating patterns of disinvestment that continue to affect these neighborhoods today. The historically redlined areas correlate strongly with current patterns of inequality in infrastructure, housing values, and opportunity.
Historical Context: This discriminatory practice lasted for decades and was only officially outlawed with the passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1968. However, the legacy of redlining continues to shape American cities, including San Jose.
Study Methodology
This research examines the lasting impacts of historical redlining practices on contemporary neighborhood characteristics in San Jose, California, using GIS and geospatial analysis.
Research Question
How does historical redlining continue to impact public infrastructure and neighborhood characteristics in San Jose?
Data Sources
Historical Data
- Redlining Maps: Digitized HOLC maps from University of Richmond's "Mapping Inequality" project
- Historical Context: HOLC area descriptions and risk assessments
Contemporary Data
- Demographic Data: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Infrastructure Data: City of San Jose open data, OpenStreetMap
- Property Values: Zillow Home Value Index and county records
Analytical Approach
The study employed Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to overlay historical redlining maps with contemporary data. QGIS was used to perform spatial analysis including:
Spatial Analysis
- Geographic overlay of historical HOLC zones
- Spatial joins to aggregate contemporary data
- Buffer analysis for infrastructure distribution
- Comparative analysis across HOLC grades
Statistical Methods
- Descriptive statistics for each HOLC grade
- Comparative analysis of infrastructure distribution
- Correlation analysis between historical grades and current conditions
Variables Analyzed
The research examined multiple dimensions of neighborhood inequality across historical HOLC grades:
Infrastructure Metrics
- Broadband internet access points
- Street trees per square kilometer
- Rail and light rail infrastructure
- Public transportation access
Demographic & Economic
- Racial and ethnic composition
- Median housing values
- Homeownership rates
- Income levels and poverty rates
Key Findings from Analysis
The analysis revealed clear disparities in infrastructure investment and neighborhood characteristics that correlate strongly with historical redlining grades, with formerly redlined areas (Grades C & D) showing significantly lower levels of positive infrastructure and higher levels of negative infrastructure.
Graphs & Results
The analysis reveals persistent disparities between neighborhoods with different historical HOLC grades across multiple dimensions of infrastructure and opportunity. Click on the circles below to learn more about each dimension.
Redlining Impact Analysis
Broadband Access
Green Infrastructure
Housing Values
Racial Demographics
Policy Implications
The research findings demonstrate that historical redlining continues to shape contemporary inequality in San Jose. Addressing these disparities requires targeted policy interventions.
Key Findings
- Disinvestment: Formerly redlined areas have the lowest median housing values, reducing tax revenue and limiting infrastructure funding
- Persistent Racial Disparities: These areas still have higher concentrations of Hispanic and Black residents, reflecting lasting segregation
- Infrastructure Deficits: Fewer street trees contribute to higher temperatures, while limited broadband access restricts economic opportunities
- Environmental Burdens: Historically redlined areas have more exposure to pollution sources and less access to green space
Policy Recommendations
Housing & Economic Justice
- Implement targeted down payment assistance programs in historically redlined areas
- Create community land trusts to preserve affordable housing
- Expand property tax relief programs for long-term residents
- Incentivize community-owned businesses and cooperatives
Infrastructure Investment
- Prioritize broadband infrastructure expansion in underserved neighborhoods
- Increase tree planting and green space in heat-vulnerable areas
- Improve public transportation connections to opportunity areas
- Invest in community facilities like libraries and recreation centers
Health & Environmental Equity
- Address urban heat island effects through cool pavement and roof initiatives
- Reduce pollution exposure through buffer zones and emissions controls
- Increase access to healthy food options in food deserts
- Expand health services in medically underserved areas
Community Engagement & Reparative Justice
- Create community oversight boards for development decisions
- Implement participatory budgeting processes
- Support cultural preservation and community history projects
- Establish truth and reconciliation processes around housing discrimination
Call to Action for San Jose Leaders
Targeted policies must address these historical inequities to break the cycle of inequality. We recommend creating a comprehensive Reparative Infrastructure Plan that:
- Prioritizes investment in historically marginalized neighborhoods
- Creates mechanisms for community control over development decisions
- Addresses both material disparities and historical trauma
- Establishes accountability measures to track progress
By consciously addressing the legacy of redlining, San Jose can become a more equitable and just city for all residents.
Contact
We welcome your questions, comments, and feedback about this research on the lasting impacts of redlining in San Jose.
Additional Information
Researcher: Aditya Rajesh
Email: the.aditya.rajesh@gmail.com