Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology Online

Extract

Restrictive covenants are deed restrictions on particular kinds of real estate. For example, they may restrict use of land in a subdivision to residential purposes only and define the maximum and minimum square footage of homes to be built. They might also place restrictions regarding construction of other buildings on the property, as well as control activities that take place within its boundaries, such as rentals. Real estate professionals argue that such legal restrictions give a development a more standard appearance and when enforced, protect property values. Racially restrictive covenants were legally enforceable contractual agreements between property owners and neighborhood associations that prohibited the sale, occupancy, or lease of property and land to certain ethnic and racial groups. While now unenforceable by the courts, racially restrictive covenants had been one of the primary ways by which access to housing had been blocked for racial and ethnic minorities. During the long history of housing discrimination in the US there have been many ways by which access has been blocked for racial and religious minorities. In the past the major pillars of segregated neighborhoods such as racially restrictive covenants were de jure or legal. Since Fair Housing in 1968 even the publication of a real estate ad that indicates preferences, limitations, or other discrimination ... log in or subscribe to read full text