‘Infiltration,’ ‘Blighted,’ ‘Subversive’: 1939 Descriptions Of LA Neighborhoods Highlight Racist Housing Policies

In Los Angeles, predominantly Black or minority neighborhoods such as Sugar Hill received “C” or “D” grades and racist “area descriptions” from the federally sponsored Home Owners’ Loan Corp. Majority-white areas, where racial covenants often restricted Black residents, received higher grades and positive reviews.

HOLC Housing Grades

Note: Nonresidential areas in gray did not receive grades from the Home Owners' Loan Corp.