Cincinnati settles lawsuit on racial bias in tax abatement program

Cincinnati officials have settled a federal lawsuit spanning four years, addressing allegations of racial bias in the city’s residential tax abatement program. The lawsuit, which accused Cincinnati of favoring White homeowners, shed light on enduring disparities in homeownership between Black and White residents. Advocates said the resolution, signed on Feb. 8, signifies a crucial step towards rectifying historical injustices and fostering a more equitable housing landscape. National data from the National Association of Realtors and Zillow revealed a stark homeownership gap between Whites and Blacks. Nationally, 73 percent of Whites own homes compared to 44 percent of Blacks, representing a 29-percentage-point disparity. However, Greater Cincinnati reportedly experiences an even wider gap, with only 33 percent of Black residents owning homes, creating a 40-percentage-point difference. Elisabeth Risch, executive director of Housing Opportunities Made Equal, emphasizes that historical discriminatory practices, including redlining, persistently impact contemporary housing trends. Redlining, a policy preventing minorities from buying homes in wealthier, predominantly White areas, contributes to the deeply rooted segregation legacy in Cincinnati, Risch said. Darrick Dansby, immediate past president of the Cincinnati chapter of the Realtists, also highlighted the potential gap worsening due to rising interest rates and low inventory, particularly affecting first-time and traditionally...