Editing Legal residential segregation (section)

===== Definition ===== 

Legal residential segregation refers to the systematic separation of individuals or communities along racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic lines through policies, laws, or regulations enacted by governmental bodies or institutions. This segregation has historically been enforced through various means, such as racial zoning laws, restrictive covenants, redlining, and discriminatory lending practices.

In the United States, for example, legal residential segregation was prevalent during the Jim Crow era, when laws were enacted to enforce racial segregation in housing, education, and public facilities. These laws and policies often restricted where people of different racial or ethnic backgrounds could live, resulting in the creation of racially segregated neighborhoods and communities.

Although many of the explicit legal mechanisms of residential segregation have been abolished, its effects persist due to ongoing systemic inequalities and discriminatory practices in housing and lending. For instance, redlining, which involved the denial of mortgage loans or insurance to residents of certain neighborhoods based on their racial composition, has had long-lasting effects on patterns of residential segregation in many urban areas.

Efforts to address legal residential segregation often involve promoting fair housing policies, enforcing anti-discrimination laws, expanding access to affordable housing, and addressing systemic barriers to housing equity. These efforts aim to create more inclusive and equitable communities where individuals of all backgrounds have equal access to housing opportunities and resources.