New York State Is One Of The Most Segregated In America

A new report says that New York State has the distinction of being one of the most segregated states in America. The Fair Housing Matters NY report states,

New York bears the unfortunate distinction of being one of the most segregated states in the country. The patterns are not accidental and are not the reflection of personal reference, as claimed by some. Intentional action by government must be taken to undo the harms of a history of segregationist policies -whether it is increasing mobility and housing choice in other neighborhoods or reinvesting in existing communities to equalize access to resources.

The report found that when it comes to housing, it seems like New York is stuck in the past. Approximately a third of New Yorkers live in majority-white or majority-non-white segregated counties. In downstate New York around 44 percent of residents are living in highly segregated counties. Nearly 100 percent (95 %) of Black and African-American New York residents live in a county that is highly segregated from white households. When it comes to Latinx and Hispanic residents, 48 percent are living in counties segregated from white households.

The report attributes the high percentage of segregated counties to:

- Racism in real estate and lending
- Zoning and land use laws
- Gentrification and displacement
- Affordable and government-supported housing being concentrated in distressed and disinvested areas of the state

Six Counties In New York Are "Highly Segregated"

Bronx County

Erie County

Franklin County

Kings County

New York County

Wyoming County

Almost half (48 percent) of the non-white population in New York State live in these six counties. The majority of the non-white population of those six counties (3,887,629) are located in three counties Bronx, Kings, New York (3,669,673) which are located in New York City. The 204,884 non-white people living in Erie County make up the majority of the rest of the 3,887,629.

How Can New York Solve Its Segregation Problem?

The population living in high segregation counties is 40 percent white, 60 percent non-white, which, when compared to the 58/42 percent split in the overall state population, indicates that the most diverse parts of the state are also the most segregated.

The report specifies that integration isn't and can't be the sole solution. Educational and economic resources must be provided, as well, in underserved areas. Segregation in education also set children up for life-long disadvantage.

The stakeholders indicated that areas that are affordable to live in are further burdened by a lack of public investment. These areas, which have a high concentration of those living in poverty and disproportionate representation of people of color, often have racially segregated, under-funded schools.

In today's climate of divisiveness and rampant racism, it seems like a huge task to tackle, nevertheless, it is important and imperative to the well-being of New York State.

You can read the full report here.

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