In a recent government meeting, the owner of Starluna Consulting presented findings from a year-long study on racial discrimination in Boston's home buying market. The research, conducted in support of the Homes for Equity initiative, aimed to address the racial homeownership gap and associated wealth disparities, particularly in Roxbury.

The study revealed stark racial disparities in homeownership from the mid-20th century to 2021, highlighting both active and passive contributions from the city of Boston to these inequities. The speaker emphasized the importance of focusing on equity rather than equality, arguing that equal treatment does not effectively reduce racial disparities due to the historical context of discrimination.

Key findings included the economic impact of higher mortgage interest rates on Black and Brown families, which can lead to significant wealth disparities across generations. The research estimated that the financial burden of these higher rates could amount to a loss of between $31,000 and $250,000 over two generations, limiting opportunities for wealth building, education, and business ownership.

To enhance the city’s efforts in addressing these disparities, the speaker recommended incorporating specific metrics into the proposed ordinance. Notably, they suggested examining the intersection of race and income, as previous arguments attributing disparities solely to economic factors were challenged by evidence showing racial bias in mortgage denial rates across all income groups.

The meeting underscored the need for Boston to confront its historical role in perpetuating racial inequities and to implement measures that promote true equity in housing and beyond.