Our nation is in the midst of a long-awaited social justice movement: we’re ready to dismantle racism and the institutions that uphold it. We can no longer stand by and watch as the Black community in our country is systemically targeted and routinely threatened with violence.
At Sanchez Compliance & Consulting, we are devastated by the continued loss of Black lives and we want to take time to address our sincere commitment to ending racism in America.
Our Commitment to Antiracism
While we can never truly understand the extent of racism against Black Americans, our team understands first-hand what it’s like to face discrimination and racism in the United States. Our founder experiences a unique dichotomy as a Mexican-American, not feeling as if she belongs to one place or the other. She represents many “firsts” in her family – a first-generation American, a first-generation college student – and she knows what it’s like to face discrimination that starts with just your name. She understands what it’s like to be a woman of color in the United States, fighting to support her family and grow a small business in a world that wasn’t created for people like her.
Yet, she also recognizes that her experiences are nothing like the experiences of Black Americans. She will face hurdles, but not like you. She will face discrimination, but not like you. She will face violence, but not like you.
That’s why our company is working hard to reflect on how we can lift the Black community and stand in solidarity against the rampant racism in our country. We are committed to hiring diverse talent that represents the communities of color in Texas. We provide a workplace that is safe for all people of color to learn and grow their careers. And we make sure every aspect of our company culture embraces the unique, individual contributions of our team. We even dive deep into the people and organizations we work with because we believe in partnerships built on the right values.
Equity and Justice in the Affordable Housing Industry
At Sanchez Compliance & Consulting, we believe that affordable housing leaders must take an active role in supporting our communities.
Affordable housing is inextricably linked to a solid education, and all children must have access to both. Children are the country’s future, after all. We believe these housing discrimination policies need to be addressed if we want to foster equity and serve justice for every American suffering from racism:
- Voucher acceptance: Housing Choice Vouchers are a lifeline for many Americans that need a safe place to live. Nearly 50% of voucher recipients are black and another 18% are Hispanic Unfortunately, many landlords don’t accept them, and they don’t have to. In Fort Worth, one survey found that only 22% of housing providers would take a Housing Choice Voucher.
- Forced segregation: At the beginning of 2020, our administration rolled back fair housing policies that were enacted during President Obama’s leadership. These policies required that specific locations track and address racial discrimination in local housing. Now, communities can decide which people live there or not – a red flag for potential discrimination
- Financial prejudice: Affordable housing is inextricably tied to wealth and financial security. Communities of color, where more than 50% of the population is black, have home values that are valued at 23% less than the national average. This means communities of color lose out tax dollars for public education, and they are less likely to receive investment for development.
There’s no excuse for racism and discrimination in this country and we promote policies that provide fair housing opportunities for our communities of color.
We Stand in Solidarity Against Racism
At Sanchez Compliance & Consulting, we know how important affordable housing is for the health of all families. And we are personally putting the time into learning more about the history and experiences of Black Americans so we can truly act as an ally.
Take time to reflect on how you can enable our communities of color to thrive, not just survive.
