Dane County Board Recognizes the Enduring Impact of Racial Covenants
February 20, 2025
Dane County Board Office, (608) 266-5758
County Board
Relics of Past Highlight the Legacy of Racism in Dane County Homeownership
The Dane County Board addressed the history of racial discriminatory covenants with tonight’s passage of 2024 RES-305. These clauses, which barred certain races from purchasing property, were ruled unenforceable by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1948 and banned by the Fair Housing Act in 1968. On March 22, 2024, Governor Evers signed Wisconsin Act 210, declaring such discriminatory restrictions “void and unenforceable."
"These racist covenants are a powerful reminder of how systemic racism deliberately obstructed homeownership for Black people and other underrepresented communities,” said Chair Patrick Miles. “Facing and understanding this ugly chapter in our history is essential for dismantling those legacies."
“In light of today’s federal landscape, it is vital that we learn from our history to prevent backsliding,” said Supervisor Chad Kemp. “Today, whether residents realize it or not, many affluent neighborhoods in Dane County still have these discriminatory covenants on their deeds. It is essential that we do everything that we can to remove discriminatory and antiquated language so that we are actually living the values that we hold true.”
“Racial covenants played a significant role in perpetuating the racial wealth gap,” said Tiffany Malone, Own It: Building Black Wealth co-founder. “We can only overcome systemic racism and barriers to current homeownership if we first study this past and understand how it shows up today.”
“By collecting and sharing this data, we’re helping to inform the community about the lasting impacts of housing discrimination here in Dane County, establishing a basis for education and action,” said Todd Violante, Planning and Development Director. “Our department is proud to be part of this collaborative effort.”
“Sometimes we build on the foundation laid by those before us to reach new heights; other times, we work to overcome the challenges left by the past,” said Rick Bernstein, Executive Director of the Dane County Historical Society. “Congratulations to Dane County for taking this important step in the ongoing journey toward progress.”
The Dane County Historical Society displayed the History of Racial Covenants exhibit at the City-County Building before the county board meeting. This exhibit is a collaboration with Dane County’s Planning and Development Department’s Prejudice in Places project.
More information and future dates/location for the exhibit are available via the link below.