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Fair Housing and the Urban Environment
Housing discrimination has proven to be one of the most
entrenched and virulent forms of discrimination. Even more distressing
is the role that state and local governments have played in systematizing
such discrimination through segregationist zoning ordinances and the enforcement
of racially restrictive covenants.
Few understand the ways that Fair Housing problems and Urban sprawl have
devastated civil rights efforts during the past half-century and continues
to do so now. Although the economic and environmental effects of sprawl
have been receiving increased attention, a troubling aspect of sprawl
not receiving much attention is the negative social effect sprawl has
on the fair housing rights of low-income families in need of decent affordable
housing.
Low-income city residents witness deteriorating housing in their communities
and a severe shortage of affordable housing opportunities for families
in the suburbs and the more affluent neighborhoods. They see jobs leave
for the suburbs and poor public transportation that does not link them
to those dispersed job opportunities. Without a car, a city resident is
simply cut off from seeking employment in many areas.
This chain of racial and economic subordination is a substantial obstacle
to civil rights work today.
See also ACLU of Wisconsin: Environmental Justice
Press Releases
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March 3, 2006 >>
ACLU tells Governor Doyle: "Protect Our Neighborhoods; Don't Widen Milwaukee
Highways" FULL
STORY
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March 27, 2003 >> SEWRPC Right to Listen to Milwaukee
Freeway Expansion Opponents Not Suburban Politicians FULL
STORY
- January 27, 2003 >> ACLU Seeks to Intervene in South
Milwaukee Fair Housing Case FULL STORY
- July 25, 2002 >> ACLU of Wisconsin Dismayed by Governor's
Shocking Disregard for Public Input on Freeway Expansion FULL
STORY
- July 3, 2002 >> ACLU of Wisconsin Calls Budget Decision
on Freeways Precipitous and Arrogant FULL
STORY
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