Economic stability and social justice are inextricably linked. Economic marginalization is at the heart of racial injustice. Our nation and economy are strongest when our middle class is robust—when all individuals, regardless of race or ethnicity, hometown, or family wealth have the opportunity to work hard and build a middle-class life.
Housing, in particular, is a core pillar of economic stability and the middle class. Homeownership, when facilitated by safe, well-underwritten mortgages, helps families build and transfer wealth to the next generation. Affordable rental housing in safe neighborhoods near good jobs and schools helps families access the tools they need to move up the economic ladder. Yet, the tools for building a strong housing foundation are out of reach for broad swaths of America, including for many households of color, low and moderate-income families, and those living in small towns. This lack of access—and, at times, the intentional restriction of opportunity—undermines the strength of the American middle class.
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