Ten housing policies created Greater Boston's segregation and remain legal today: redlining maps (1930s), minimum lot sizes (1968-1975 'Big Downzone'), single-family-only zoning, exclusionary building codes, restrictive covenants (until 1968), urban renewal (1950s-1970s), highway construction (1950s-1960s), public housing location (1940s-1960s), school district boundaries (1970s-present), and MBTA Communities Act resistance (2024-present). Understanding this history helps buyers recognize which towns maintain exclusion by design versus genuine integration efforts.
Homebuyers evaluating Greater Boston towns, families seeking diverse communities, anyone wondering why progressive towns remain segregated, buyers choosing between 'excellent' school districts, people trying to understand the MBTA Communities Act resistance.
Use our Town Finder to identify communities that balance school quality with genuine diversity. Research your target town's zoning history and MBTA Communities Act compliance. Understand that 'excellent' schools often come with exclusionary costs. Compare towns that embraced (not just complied with) the MBTA Act.
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