A new article published on Apr. 14 examines the relationship between local racial housing covenants and federal housing policies in El Paso, Texas, from 1900 to 1950. The study, authored by Toney, Kelly, and Hoffman, analyzes land records to identify property deeds with racially or economically restrictive clauses and explores how these intersected with mortgage support from the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC).
The research addresses how historical housing practices have shaped community development and access to homeownership. Understanding the overlap between restrictive covenants and federal mortgage support provides insight into longstanding patterns of segregation.
The authors find that while HOLC did not engage in credit redlining by withdrawing mortgage refinance support from lower-rated areas or directing it extensively to higher-rated areas, it did assign higher ratings to subdivisions that included restrictive covenants. The analysis reveals that nearly half of all platted land area in El Paso during this period contained racially or economically restrictive clauses. However, there was limited overlap between HOLC-backed mortgages and properties with these covenants; such properties made up only a modest fraction of all HOLC-supported mortgages in the city.
The Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University has highlighted research like this as part of its broader mission to foster just, socially inclusive communities at various levels according to the official website. The school operates as part of Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey according to its official website.
Stuart Shapiro became dean for the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy in 2023 according to the official website. The school is recognized for its nationally ranked graduate urban planning program (third place) and undergraduate public health program (fourth place), as reported by its official website. Its research centers focus on issues including community development, transportation policy, health policy, workforce development, and energy policy according to its official site.
The findings from this study contribute further understanding about historic barriers in American housing markets while aligning with ongoing efforts at institutions like Bloustein School aimed at advancing social impact through academic research.