SACRAMENTO—The California State Assembly has approved two bills aimed at addressing historic housing and property disparities experienced by descendants of enslaved people, moving the state closer to enacting some of the nation’s most direct reparations measures.
The first measure, AB 57, would reserve a portion of funds from California’s Home Purchase Assistance Program specifically for descendants of formerly enslaved people. Supporters say the bill targets longstanding gaps in homeownership rates and generational wealth, which have persisted due to discriminatory policies such as redlining and racial covenants. Homeownership rates for Black households in California lag behind those of White households by roughly 30 percentage points, according to state data.
The second bill, AB 62, would create a process for victims of racially motivated eminent domain actions to seek redress. Throughout the 20th century, government agencies used eminent domain for public projects in ways that disproportionately affected Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, often resulting in the loss of homes, businesses, and community assets.
California was admitted to the United States as a “free state” in 1850, but historians note that slavery persisted in practice for years after statehood. Some enslaved people were brought to California during the Gold Rush, and discriminatory laws and practices continued to affect Black residents well into the 20th century. Proponents of the new legislation argue that the legacy of these injustices, combined with later policies like redlining, has contributed to ongoing economic disparities.
“If we want to address the lingering injustices of slavery that continue to this day, helping Californians build generational wealth through homeownership and being fairly compensated for property wrongfully taken from them or their family is just two of many steps needed,” Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, who introduced the bill, said in a statement.
If the bills become law, California would be among the first states to offer targeted reparations in the form of housing assistance and property restitution. Details on how potential recipients would qualify for the programs have not yet been announced. It was not immediately clear what documentation or process would be required for individuals to prove eligibility for the reserved homeownership funds or for redress under the eminent domain measure.
Both bills now advance to the State Senate for further consideration.
