In 2024, Washington state took a novel approach to undoing some of the historical damage caused by racist housing policy. That’s the year the state launched the Covenant Homeownership Program.

It provides no-interest loans to descendents of people impacted by redlining or racially restrictive covenants. Those loans can be used for down payments and closing costs. 

So far, more than 1,500 home buyers have benefited from the program. And supporters say it’s giving people the chance at home ownership their ancestors were deprived of.

But the program has opponents: After it was established, a nonprofit group quickly sued, alleging racial discrimination. And earlier this year, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development launched an investigation into the program. 

Guest:
Susan Shain, freelance writer reporting for The New York Times

Related Stories:
Washington State Tried to Make Up for Redlining. Then It Was Sued.
HUD launches investigation into WA’s Covenant Homeownership Program

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

 

In 2024, Washington state took a novel approach to undoing some of the historical damage caused by racist housing policy. That&rsquo;s the year the state launched the <a href="https://www.wshfc.org/covenant/">Covenant Homeownership Program</a>.
It provides no-interest loans to descendents of people impacted by redlining or racially restrictive covenants. Those loans can be used for down payments and closing costs.&nbsp;
So far, more than 1,500 home buyers have benefited from the program.&nbsp;And supporters say it&rsquo;s giving people the chance at home ownership their ancestors were deprived of.
But the program has opponents: After it was established, a nonprofit group quickly sued, alleging racial discrimination. And earlier this year, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development launched an investigation into the program.&nbsp;
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Susan Shain, freelance writer reporting for The New York Times</li>
</ul>
Related Stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/29/realestate/washington-state-redlining-covenant-homeownership.html?partner=slack&amp;smid=sl-share">Washington State Tried to Make Up for Redlining. Then It Was Sued.</a><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/heres-where-the-enchantments-stand-for-wa-summer-hiking-season/?utm_source=marketingcloud&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Morning+Brief+06-24-26_6_24_2026&amp;utm_term="></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/hud-launches-investigation-into-was-covenant-homeownership-program/">HUD launches investigation into WA&rsquo;s Covenant Homeownership Program</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.
&nbsp;

Soundside

In 2024, Washington State took a novel approach to undoing some of the historical damage caused by racist housing policy. That’s the year the state launched the Covenant Homeownership Program.