Skip To Content
BuzzFeed Homepage
Search BuzzFeed
  • A Fresh Start badge

Black Americans, Share Your Stories About Today's Housing Market

Whether it's a story of triumph or defeat, we want to know your experience as a Black American.

Karlton Jahmal
by Karlton Jahmal

BuzzFeed Staff

The most crucial part of building generational wealth in America is land ownership.

Realtor showing a kitchen to a couple, gesturing while they hold documents and listen
Riska / Getty Images

Unfortunately, for most of America's history, Black people have had to jump through endless hoops and hurdles just to get a piece of land.

Man smiling sitting with cardboard boxes in a new home, labeled for different rooms
Riska / Getty Images

According to Statista, homeownership among Black Americans is the lowest of any race, sitting at 45%. Meanwhile, the US average is 68%, and non-Latino white Americans are at 74%.

Woman holding a baby and toddler standing at an open doorway
Franz Aberham / Getty Images

Historically, practices like redlining have hindered the ability of Black Americans to purchase homes.

Aerial view contrasting dense informal housing with structured suburban homes, divided by a road
Fivepointsix / Getty Images

According to NPR, "The Federal Housing Administration, which was established in 1934, furthered the segregation efforts by refusing to insure mortgages in and near African American neighborhoods — a policy known as 'redlining.' At the same time, the FHA was subsidizing builders who were mass-producing entire subdivisions for whites — with the requirement that none of the homes be sold to African Americans."

Other practices, like predatory lending, are still common today.

Three professionals in a meeting, one facing camera with a smile, others back to camera
Ljubaphoto / Getty Images

Investopedia states, "Lending practices have gradually become more equitable in the US. But more equitable is not equal. The residual effects of redlining — and the ongoing discrimination against people of color today — continue to perpetuate the country's racial wealth divide. Three-quarters of neighborhoods redlined in the 1930s continue to struggle economically today and are much more likely than other communities to be home to lower-income, racial, and ethnic minority residents. They are also more likely to be the target of subprime and predatory lenders."

Because of these challenges, it's more likely for Black Americans to rent. But even renting a home has its challenges.

Man in a casual shirt smiling in front of a house with a porch
Johnnygreig / Getty Images

If you're a Black American, and you have a story to tell about your home buying or renting experience, we want to hear about it!

Two people smiling and shaking hands with a person whose back is to the camera, seated in a cozy room
Julpo / Getty Images

Please share your story using this Google form or in the comments section below, and you could be featured in a BuzzFeed Community post.