The stability encouraged by homeownership may also be a prerequisite to the development of neighborhood identity, involvement in local social networks, and the engagement with local institutions and organizations that strengthen social support. However, with the advent of the housing market bust and the 2007 recession, the difficulties in owning and protecting an existing home from foreclosure have become more prominent.

2.  Fair Housing Act (1967) – hud.gov
 Protects people from discrimination when they are renting or
buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing
assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities.
 The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing
because of: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial
status and disability.

3.  Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (1990)
 Provided block grants for housing purposes to state and local
governments
 Allowed state to administer their own housing policies
 Linking housing assistance to social services
 Using a nonprofit sponsor to administer policies
 Facilitating homeownership for low- and moderate- income families
 Preserved excisting government housing units
 Cost sharing between states and the feds

4.  Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (1990)
 HOME grant. Allow for affordable housing for low- and medium-
income families. States decide how to spend the money.
 SHOP grant. Allow nonprofits to buy home sites and develop or
improve infrastructure so low income families can purchase a home.
Think Habitat for Humanity.
 HOPE grant. Sale of publicly owned home to low-income families.
 Provides for social services to disabled and elderly.
 Social Services near public housing projects

5.  Redlining. Real estate related practice that puts services,
financial and otherwise, out of reach for residents of certain
areas based on race or ethnicity.
 It normally includes the systematic denial of mortgages, insurance, loans
and other financial services based on location (and that geography area’s
history) rather than an individual's qualifications and creditworthiness.
 Redlining is most palpable in minority neighborhoods.

6.  Gentrification. Resettlement of existing low-income
neighborhoods by middle- and upper-class home owners or
investors
 Normally results in forcing poor and indigenous residents out of their
neighborhoods