Fargo neighborhoods have patterns of racial segregation, says housing organization

FARGO — Patterns of racial segregation are beginning to appear in Fargo neighborhoods, said Michelle Rydz, executive director of the High Plains Fair Housing Center.

These segregated neighborhoods will have far-reaching impacts on the community, she told members of the Fargo City Commission, urging the city to take action before it's too late.

“We are very concerned that the housing choices are being limited based on these emerging patterns of segregation,” she said.

Segregated communities are often targeted by slum landlords, underserved by public amenities such as parks, and trapped in a cycle of segregation as societal forces push away new residents while preventing minority populations from moving elsewhere in town, she said.

Just the other day, Rydz said she came across an apartment building with burned-out cars and broken garage doors on display.

“I just couldn’t believe that was in our city,” Rydz said.

From 2012 to 2016, the metro area was entirely comprised of predominantly white neighborhoods, she said, with minority groups living throughout the city.

Contributed / High Plains Fair Housing

However, census data from 2017 to 2021 shows three portions of the metro area popping up as predominantly occupied by minority populations.

This growing segregation will have big impacts in the years to come, she said.

“Research has shown that some real estate agents and leasing agents will begin to steer buyers and renters away from some neighborhoods as soon as the percentage of students of color at the neighborhood school rises,” Rydz said.

This will only exacerbate racial segregation, she said.

David Samson/The Forum

“I think what we’re seeing here are some issues that are getting concerning,” City Commissioner Arlette Preston said.

The city has learned that people of color are more likely to be denied a mortgage, Preston said, even with the same income level and credit history as white applicants. This makes home ownership and moving harder.

She asked the city’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) office to update the commission at a later date on what work is being done to address this issue.

Preston sits on the board of High Plains Fair Housing Center, according to its website. The organization's mission is "to ensure equal access to fair housing in the region through training, education, enforcement, and advocacy."

The High Plains Fair Housing Center also serves people who experience housing discrimination.

In North Dakota, protected categories for housing include race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, familial status, disability, public assistance status, age, and marital status, Rydz said.

The purpose of these protected categories is to prevent segregation in communities, Rydz said.

The key to turning the tide on this issue is to provide fair and equitable housing opportunities throughout the city, she said.

It’s the city of Fargo’s responsibility to “transform racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty into areas of opportunity,” Rydz said.

To accomplish this, she said, Fargo leaders need to ensure that affordable housing is available throughout the city and avoid building affordable developments in the portions of town that are trending toward racial segregation.

Fargo leaders can do this by examining what permits and zoning they approve and deny, and in what parts of town.

Further steps that the city could take is to ask the Planning and Zoning Commission to take training on fair housing practices, she said, apply penalties to “slum landlords” who operate in the segregated parts of town, and require housing professionals to take fair housing training as well.

This topic is of growing importance throughout the state, Rydt added.

“For the first time in history, 17% of North Dakota identified (in census data) as a race other than white,” she said.

Those who think they have experienced any discriminatory housing practices should contact High Plains Fair Housing, Rydz said.

High Plains Fair Housing can be reached via email at info@highplainsfhc.org or by calling 701-203-1077.

Commissioner John Strand said this information is a reminder for the city to dig deeper into this subject.

Mayor Tim Mahoney asked Rydz to send her data along to all city commissioners for review.