Black Families Pay More to Keep Their Houses Warm Than Average American Families

November 26, 2025

Research from Binghamton University and California State University reveals that African American families face disproportionately high energy costs, spending 5. 1% of their income on energy compared to the national average of 3. 2%.

Who is affected

African American families living in majority-Black census tracts
More than 12 million U.S. households that keep their homes uncomfortably hot or cold to control energy costs
24 million households that have foregone food or medicine to pay utility bills
Black families living in rental properties (unable to make energy-efficiency upgrades)
Renters in general (9 in 10 rental households pay all or some energy bills)
Communities affected by historical redlining practices

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article. The article discusses research findings and makes recommendations for future policy actions, but does not describe currently implemented programs or initiatives.

Why it matters

High energy burdens force millions of families to make harmful trade-offs between basic necessities like heating, cooling, food, and medicine. People facing high energy burdens often resort to unsafe heating sources and experience increased health risks including asthma, depression, premature mortality, and poor overall health. The racial disparity in energy burdens—persisting even when income levels are equal—reveals how historical discrimination like redlining continues to create systemic inequalities that affect daily quality of life and health outcomes. This research demonstrates that income alone does not explain the problem, meaning solutions must address structural and housing-related factors rather than assuming economic assistance alone will solve the issue.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article.
(Note: The article provides policy recommendations for local officials to design community-specific programs and engage with distinct communities, but these are presented as suggestions rather than planned or scheduled actions.)

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint