Latest News
House CR-Omnibus Funds FHIP at $40.1 Million for FY15 and Preserves Key Fair Housing Rules
National Fair Housing Alliance – Press Release – 12/11/14 – Late Tuesday, night, the House of Representatives filed a spending package, or “CR-Omnibus” that includes $53.8 billion for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development keeps funding for FHIP at $40.1 million, keeping the program at level funding for FY15!
(more…)We are grateful for your support
Recent high profile events have brought race relations to the forefront of our consciousness. The Housing Center believes that when given the opportunity to live together in diverse communities, the belief in stereotypes decreases, and when interacting with one another on an individual basis, we’re less likely to profile people based on race. Fair housing […]
Freedom from Discrimination Benefits Everyone
Diverse, thriving communities are crucial to our national prosperity in the 21st century. Access to a safe and affordable home near quality schools and employment is central to the American Dream. When it comes to building strong communities, we’re all in it together.
It’s common sense that we should challenge barriers to equality and fairness and look for better ways of doing things. That’s core to who we are as Americans, and it strengthens all communities.
(more…)Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Provides Guidance to Help Lenders Avoid Discrimination Against Consumers Recieving Disability Income
November 18, 2014
Bureau Warns Lenders Against Creating Illegal Hurdles for Recipients of Social Security Disability Income
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is issuing a bulletin to help lenders avoid imposing illegal burdens on consumers receiving disability income who apply for mortgages. The CFPB is reminding lenders that requiring unnecessary documentation from consumers who receive Social Security disability income may raise fair lending risk. Today’s bulletin calls attention to standards and guidelines that may help lenders comply with the law, and help ensure that recipients of Social Security disability income receive fair and equal access to credit.
(more…)Housing Center Joins NFHA in Charges Against US Bank
For Immediate Release,
November 18, 2014,
by the National Fair Housing Alliance,
U.S. Bank Accused of Racial Discrimination in Five More Cities
Civil Rights Groups Amend Federal Complaint over Neglected Foreclosures, Adding Data from Cleveland, Columbus, Grand Rapids, Kansas City, Minneapolis and Muskegon
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) and three of its member organizations announced new evidence of housing discrimination by Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank as part of an ongoing national investigation into the neglect of bank-owned foreclosures in communities of color. The civil rights groups allege that U.S. Bank fails to maintain and market its foreclosures (also known as real estate owned or REO properties) in African-American and Latino neighborhoods to the same standard as in White neighborhoods, a practice that violates the federal Fair Housing Act. Today, NFHA and its partners are adding 162 REO investigations to the complaint, bringing the total number of U.S. Bank REOs investigated to 651 in 24 metropolitan areas.
(more…)HUD Releases 2012-2013 Annual Report on Fair Housing
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity released its Annual Fair Housing Report for 2012 to 2013. This report provides information on fair housing activities for the period beginning October 1, 2011, and ending September 30, 2013. Read the Report We hope that you find this […]
Housing Center Joins Civil Rights Groups in Expanded Discrimination Complaint against Bank of America
The Housing Research and Advocacy Center joined with other fair housing organizations from across the country to investigate how Bank of America continues to maintain and market bank-owned foreclosures (also known as real estate owned or REO properties) in white neighborhoods and in African-American and Latino neighborhoods. This investigation resulted in an expanded discrimination complaint against Bank of America. The press release below contains a brief description of the investigation and complaint.
(more…)AFFH Assessment Tool Released Today for Review
The Housing Center learned today that HUD released an important part of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) regulation this morning for public comment. This proposed AFFH “template” is the form that jurisdictions will use for their new Assessment of Fair Housing. The release of the template is a perfect opportunity to once again weigh […]
NFHA Urges Ohio Senate to Reject Radical Anti-Civil Rights Bill
Senate Bill 349 Would Make It Easier to Discriminate in Housing
WASHINGTON, DC – A proposed bill in the Ohio Senate would make it easier for landlords and others to discriminate in housing and not to be held accountable for their actions. It would also cost the State at least $1 million in lost federal funding. Shanna L. Smith, President and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance, issued the following statement calling for the Ohio Senate to reject this radical measure:
“All people should have equal access to housing they can afford. Senate Bill 349 would replace Ohio’s long standing strong law with only a slap on the wrist for banks, real estate companies, landlords, and apartment owners who discriminate. Senate Bill 349 would weaken the ability of Ohio’s civil rights organizations and neighborhood groups to hold accountable those who discriminate against neighborhoods, people with disabilities, families with children, women, people of color, and many others.”
(more…)Third Annual Rock the Block 5K! at Edgewater Park
Registration is now open for the Housing Center’s 3rd Annual Rock the Block 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk. The race will be help on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at Edgewater Park. New this year is the option to register for teams of six. So gather your co-workers for an office challenge, or enlist family […]
Consumer Alert!
The City of Cleveland issued a CONSUMER ALERT regarding remodeling contractors who convince seniors that their homes can be repaired and/or remodeled for free without the consequences of a loan or mortgage. Read the Consumer Alert here: http://clecityhall.com/2014/06/05/consumer-alert-home-equity-stripping-scams/
NFHA Announces Fair Housing Videos for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The National Fair Housing Alliance, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, announced the creation of 12 fair housing/fair lending videos in American Sign Language (ASL) with English captioning. These videos provide critical legal and practical information in a format accessible to persons who are Deaf and/or Hard of Hearing. The […]
It is Above that You and I Shall Go
The Housing Center is pleased to announce the installation of our fair housing mural, “It is Above that You and I Shall Go” produced in collaboration with Building Bridges Arts Collaborative and the HELP Foundation, Inc. The mural is located on the western wall of Six Chimneys apartment building, 3907 Prospect Avenue, in Cleveland’s MidTown […]