Community Revitalization, Civil Rights, and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program

The Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program is the latest federal low income housing production program to be challenged by civil rights advocates for perpetuation of racial segregation by failing to expand housing opportunity outside of low income, distressed, minority concentrated areas. This article presents original calculations based on existing data as applied to measures of community opportunity and distress utilized by two federal agencies. This research raises questions about the efficacy of LIHTC investment as a revitalizing tool in highly distressed census tracts, even if approved as part of a concerted community revitalization plan. The article argues for national standards and guidance for state agencies which ensure that the benefits of revitalization are indeed afforded to the residents of distressed communities, who will otherwise continue to suffer the dual harms of racial segregation: separate and unequal