Blog / Bay Area Media Collaborative

The myth and truth about housing segregation in the Bay Area

Richard Rothstein, one of the most prominent experts on segregation in America, warns that the San Francisco Bay Area will never be able to fully address the current crisis in housing until one truth is acknowledged. It is this: Segregated housing projects were created by design—not accidentally—throughout the Bay Area because of federal and local government programs and policies, and the legacy of this history profoundly impacts the housing crisis today. “This myth that it all happened by accident hobbles our ability to do anything about it,” says Rothstein.

“Gotham City” signals a new movement fighting the ‘urban growth machine’

As a longtime observer of New York politics, journalist Juan González could easily have written a book focusing solely on how Bill de Blasio, a relatively unknown politician, won a surprising victory in that city’s 2013 mayoral elections. Instead, González broadened the scope of his exploration to show how de Blasio represents the most visible example among a new generation of young, progressive leaders who have cropped up in San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia, Boston and other cities across the nation. These new grassroots politicians offer hope for those who oppose the “urban growth machine” that, until now, has freely pushed development under the philosophy that land decisions should be based on the ability to yield profit, rather than public benefit.

Don’t Miss these Bay Area Media Collaborative Events

The Bay Area Media Collaborative (BAMC) is Renaissance Journalism's three-year initiative to test an innovative model of collaborative, community-centered journalism. This ambitious effort seeks to inspire and support journalists from diverse news organizations to work collaboratively as they investigate the region’s most pressing problems—and in the process, produce powerful journalism with far-reaching impact. To begin, the Bay Area Media Collaborative will tackle the complex housing crisis. Check out BAMC's upcoming events calendar.