A Look into Portland's Racism in Housing

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    Albina district was an African American community located in North and Northeast Portland across the Willamette river. Shown above are satellite images of Albina district in 1940 (left) and in 1960 (right). White Portland communities created housing restrictions to their neighborhoods to push away African American home buyers which ended up locating a large population of African Americans to the Albina District. Despite the forced location, it became a flourishing community and the strong population of African Americans strengthened the diversity within the city and challenged the systematic racism of Oregon. 

Interstate Highway Act 1956

    The interstate highway act of 1956 created by President Eisenhower revolutionized America by building roadway systems that increased logistical efficiency. Unfortunately, many city governments used this as an opportunity to disrupt and relocate people of color communities. In the case of Portland, this was the Albina District. In 1960, the project of interstate highway 5 began clearing out thousands of African American owned businesses and homes. ODOT stated that they needed to clear out a large part of the community due to necessary widening. However, it can be seen in the images above how the highway only consumes a fraction of the community. 

Albina District Today

    Today, African American organizations fight to grow the community back and restore the Albina district to what it used to be. Creating diversity in the city of Portland, rebuilding lost history, and recapturing the culture is what Albina Vision Trust, an organization run by Portland African Americans, strives to do. You can get involved by attending events, creating artwork, or spreading the word of what Albina Vision Trust is developing. By understanding the history of why communities in Portland are the way they are today helps develop the plans necessary to create more diverse and inclusive housing back to Portland.

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