Graphic by Audrey Kim
Tae Hong
Opinions Reporter
According to Newton’s 2019 census, white people compose the majority of Newton’s population, at a considerable 76.7%. In Newton, 14.8% of residents identify as Asian, 4.9% identify as Hispanic or Latino, and 3% identify as Black. Why is it important to have a more diverse community, and why will creating more affordable housing in Newton change our diversity?
Growing up in predominantly white communities, many students of color feel a sense of not belonging.
There are many advantages to living and growing up with a diverse population: it creates an environment where people are more accepting of differences and residents gain a better understanding of our many cultures. So how does affordable housing help achieve this? In the US, there is a wealth gap between white people and people of color (mainly Black and Latinx people), caused by systematic inequality in our society and workforce.
And it’s no secret that Newton housing prices are very high; the median home cost (excluding tax and utilities) is around $1,000,000. Creating affordable housing would allow low-income families to live in Newton. Right now, many people of color are victims of redlining—a term used to describe banks denying financial services to people because of racial biases.
This creates more problems because families stuck in impoverished neighborhoods are also denied better education and opportunities due to their location and race. Affordable housing would allow more people of different races to have a chance to attend Newton Public Schools, which are some of the top public schools in the state. This also breaks the cycle of wealth inequality; the better education you receive, the more likely you are to get a higher-paying job.
“Affordable housing can bring in people from different areas, which I guess is an advantage because it can introduce us to different communities and make our schools more diverse,” says Sarah Otis, a sophomore at Newton South.
Sasha Fine, another sophomore at South, expands on this idea. “It’s important for kids to see people that are different from them, on a socio-economic, racial, gender level—all of it. It creates life skills that are critical for kids to have to be anti-racist and anti-classist, and it creates better people,” Fine states.
Currently, few affordable housing opportunities are available in Newton. Such openings are in high demand, and residents are chosen by lottery. Newton needs affordable housing to welcome families of all income levels and backgrounds.
