Which practice continues to be officially illegal today, although it historically prevented minorities from obtaining housing in certain areas?

Redlining refers to the practice where banks and insurers would outline areas in red on maps to indicate neighborhoods where they would not invest or provide services, primarily based on the racial composition of those areas. This practice systematically denied minorities access to mortgages, insurance, and equal housing opportunities, contributing to long-term segregation and economic disadvantage.

In contemporary real estate and financial sectors, redlining is officially illegal under various laws, including the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. These laws aim to ensure that all individuals, regardless of race or ethnicity, have equal access to housing and financial services.

While steering, blockbusting, and discrimination based on employment status can also lead to housing inequality and are regulated or prohibited in many contexts, redlining is particularly significant as it was historically codified into economic practices and policies, leading to widespread harm within racial minority communities. Understanding redlining's impact can help in recognizing the broader implications of present-day housing policies and the ongoing efforts to address historic injustices in housing access.