In the Just Neighbors Sermon Series, in addition to learning about redlining, we also learned about racially restrictive covenants that specifically excluded Black people and other racial groups from buying property. In 2023, the Washington State Legislature passed the Covenant Homeownership Act to help people who have been impacted by this discrimination to become homeowners. Since then, more than 400 homebuyers in Washington State have received assistance with down payments. You can read about how this program is healing injustice in this Seattle Times article.

We also learned about Justice Deposits – a way to heal the injustice caused by redlining. Companies and individuals can help to recapitalize Black and minority owned banks by depositing their money. This provides equity that can be used to provide loans to communities previously prevented from building wealth. The BelPres Legacy Foundation responded by moving cash reserves to Carver Bank in Harlem, NY. Justice Deposits are not a donation. Instead, it's choosing to do the banking you already do in a way that brings healing to communities that have faced discrimination.