How Redlining Led to Housing Issues in North Omaha

North Omaha resident Kiere Phelps and former professor Dr. Franklin Titus Thompson discuss how past redlining practices have affected housing issues today.

How Past Redlining Practices Have Led to Housing Issues in North Omaha

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Transcript

Narrator: Decades after redlining was made illegal, its effects are still felt in North Omaha. Gentrification and other discriminatory housing policies have left a lasting scar on property values and community development. 

North Omaha resident Kiere Phelps says that the economic circumstances are not as great as other parts of the city. 

Phelps: As people know, North Omaha is not the richest community, and Omaha, you know, is predominantly black. And the economic circumstances I see with North Omaha is that you have abandoned houses, you don't have a lot of opportunities for the kids, you know, affordable opportunities. 

Narrator: Housing issues due to redlining have an effect on many different aspects of society and residents' lives. 

Former educator of 46 years, Dr. Franklin Titus Thompson says he's seen the effects of housing issues on students from previously redlined communities. 

Thompson: The housing has an effect in many areas other than just where you lay your head down. It has an effect on thinking patterns, on values, on how you spend your free time, what you put your money towards. It's all interconnected. 

Narrator: Housing issues in North Omaha have been prevalent since redlining took effect. However, various organizations and the city have been working to develop North Omaha and its community. 

Phelps: They are really renovating, they're building new community centers, they're really building new housing, they're building new things for people to do down there, but I still feel like we've got a lot of work to do in terms of really making North Omaha that place to go to.

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