History of Racially Restrictive Covenants in Tacoma and Pierce County

For this Lunch and Learn, we are diving into the history of racially-driven restrictions within housing. Join us for a presentation by University of Washington Research Assistants working on the Racially Restrictive Covenant Project. We will learn about the history and legislation around this topic and why rezoning and attention to equity is important within city planning.   

Despite being outlawed, racist restrictions persist in property records across the state, leaving a toxic legacy from an era when local governments actively promoted racial segregation. Authorized by the State Legislature in 2021 under SHB 1335, the project has identified roughly 50,000 restricted properties across the state, including 30,000 in King County and over 4,000 in Pierce and Snohomish County. 

Join us as we explore the local impact of housing segregation, the legacy of these practices on our communities, the archival research process, and the Covenants Homeownership Account Act (HB 1474), a landmark bill that will provide financial assistance to victims of racial restrictive covenants and their descendants. You will not want to miss this important discussion about Washington's housing history.