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Tuesday, November 26, 2024
The 2024 Mid-Atlantic Regional Affordable Housing Conference is December 17-19 in Baltimore
Friday, November 22, 2024
HSBC Commits $25M to NCRC Partnership Following Redlining Allegations
HSBC, a British universal bank and financial services group headquartered in London, has agreed to direct $25 million over the next four years to support underserved communities in an agreement with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) following allegations of redlining.
HSBC had been under investigation by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) after NCRC filed a complaint alleging violations of the U.S. Fair Lending Act. According to the document, HSBC allegedly engaged in discriminatory lending practices in majority Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in six U.S. metropolitan areas from 2018-2021 - including New York (NY), Seattle (WA), Orange County (CA), Los Angeles (CA), Oakland (CA), and the Bay Area (CA).
The new HSBC-NCRC partnership begins in January 2025, and is dedicated to expand economic opportunities in low—and moderate-income, diverse and underserved communities through loan subsidies, grants, and donations. The HSBC US and Americas CEO Michael Roberts stated that the partnership “reflects our shared commitment to fostering economic resilience and opportunity in communities across the U.S., and we are honored to support these efforts through our loans, investments and grants.”
HSBC has committed $10 million in loan subsidies, including $3.5 million to certain California markets. An additional $4 million will be for grants to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and community-based nonprofit organizations, $6 million will be donated to NCRC, and $1 million will fund community engagement initiatives.
According to the mortgage tech platform Modex, HSBC originated about $3.5 billion in mortgages in the last 12 months, 77% of them purchases and 90% conventional loans. California and Washington are the bank’s main markets.
Read the November 20, 2024 HousingWire article.
New Study Finds Neighborhood Mental Health Outcomes Are Connected To Mortgage Lending Levels
The University of Michigan and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) have published a study in the October 29, 2024 Journal of Urban Health (doi: 10.1007/s11524-024-00926-z. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39470868) exploring the relationship between access to mortgage loans and improved neighborhood mental health. The research found that housing investment was linked to promoting community well-being.
This 2024 study confirms several previous studies of the link between redlining and health. For example, the study "Mortgage Lending Bias and Breast Cancer Survival Among Older Women in the United States" published in the June, 2021 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology - 39(25):JCO.21.00112 - found that contemporary redlining has a negative impact on survival among older women with breast cancer.
The 2021 study utilized a redlining index consisting of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data (2007-2013) linked by census tract with a SEER-Medicare cohort of 27,516 women age 66-90 years with an initial diagnosis of stage I-IV breast cancer in 2007-2009 and follow-up through 2015. It found that 34% of non-Hispanic White, 57% of Hispanic, and 79% of non-Hispanic Black individuals lived in redlined tracts. As the redlining index increased, women experienced poorer survival rates. This effect was strongest for women with no co-morbid conditions, who were 54% of the sample. A similar pattern was found for breast cancer–specific mortality. The conclusion was that contemporary redlining is associated with poorer breast cancer survival. The impact of this bias is evidenced by the stronger effect even among women with health insurance (Medicare) and no co-morbid conditions.
The 2024 study discovered that, in almost all of the 18 major U.S. metropolitan areas analyzed, neighborhoods with numerically more issued mortgages had better mental health outcomes. This probably is because of the firmer social stability and financial security that homeownership provides - which also helps reduce stress and anxiety. Increased mortgage activity often also is accompanied by such enhanced neighborhood improvements as better infrastructure, more green space, and community facilities. All of these strengthen social cohesion and improve well-being.
This 2024 study utilized the newly available HMDA longitudinal dataset which tracks mortgage lending data over decades. “This is a pioneering study in this field of research which leverages the mortgage lending data over decades, in order to assess patterns,” said Dr. Bruce Mitchell, NCRC Principal Researcher and a co-author of the new study “We hope that public health researchers can gather further insights into the relationships between community well-being and housing using this dataset.”
Photo courtesy of Violette79 on Flickr.
Read the November 19, 2024 NCRC article.
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
The Just Economy Conference 2025 will be on March 26-27, 2025
Washington Hilton
1919 Connecticut Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20009
Hill Day • March 25
The Just Economy Conference is the national event for community, business, foundation, policy and government leaders who want a nation that not only promises but delivers opportunities for all Americans to build wealth and live well. National and local luminaries, visionaries and changemakers gather to network, share ideas, learn and ask hard questions to chart out a better future.
Along with keynote speakers and conversations on the main stage, the conference includes a wide range of conversational sessions and workshops.
Topics include:
- Community organizing and advocacy
- Fair housing
- Fair lending
- Access to capital and credit
- Workforce and community development
- Business
- Education
- Climate change
- Healthcare
- Impact investing
- Civil and human rights, and others.
Super Earlybird Pricing
General Admission - $700
Nonprofit - $450
NCRC Organization Member - $250
Just Economy Club Member - $350
Student/Intern - $85
Retired - $85
Stay Informed:
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on the Just Economy Conference.
National Community Reinvestment Coalition
740 15th St NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
Friday, November 15, 2024
Time is Running Out for Baltimore City Rental Assistance!
If you or your clients in Baltimore City need help paying rent, please act fast! The Baltimore City Rental Assistance Program Portal reopened on Monday, October 21, 2024 for 30 days, until November 19, 2024. The City's Rental Assistance Portal is an online platform that offers eligible residents an opportunity to apply for funds that cover back rent and prevent eviction, as well as for security deposit assistance. To be eligible, applicants:
- cannot reside in either Section 8 housing or receive a federal rental subsidy.
- must be a Baltimore City resident with a household income at 80% of Area Median Income.
- must reside in rental units that are registered and licensed with Baltimore City.
- must have a signed lease, and must provide documentation.
Required documents include 1 months worth of pay stubs, 2023 tax forms, unemployment forms, government assistance forms (TANF), Social Security disability), Social Security award letters, pension award letters, retirement forms, etc.
Additionally, income and a valid photo ID should be provided for each 18 or older member of the household. City residents can also seek out case management to learn about available local resources, including legal assistance and housing counseling on the City's Rental Assistance Portal.
Baltimore City Rental Assistance Program applications can also be completed in person at one of the five Community Action Partnership Centers, Monday through Friday 9:00am-3:30pm. Visit www.bmorechildren.com/assistance to register your account as a new user, to sign in to the portal, to apply, and to learn more.
Call (410)396-5555 with questions about the program. Economic Action Maryland recommends contacting one of the five Community Action Partnership Centers directly.
For more information, read our post explaining this round of rental assistance and don't hesitate to reach out with questions
2209 Maryland Avenue | Baltimore, Maryland 21218
(410)220-0494 | info@econaction.org
City of Baltimore's Settlement Agreement in ADA Lawsuit Includes $44 Million for Pedestrian Infrastructure
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott has announced a settlement agreement with a class of plaintiffs that will result in $44 million of improvements to the City’s pedestrian rights of way. The agreement is one component of a partial consent decree. The agreement also will create a program within the City’s Department of Transportation dedicated solely to manage this infrastructure investment.
The IMAGE Center of Maryland, the nonprofit that joined three wheelchair users in filing the class action lawsuit against the City in 2021, said they are happy Baltimore is making this commitment to make sidewalks and curb ramps more accessible to people with mobility disabilities. In 2021, after the lawsuit was filed, Mayor Scott formed a multi-agency task to address Baltimore's ADA compliance and directed it to use all necessary measures to triage current accessibility complaints.
Under the agreement, the City will spend $44 million on its sidewalks and curb ramps over the next four years. This will include $8 million for FY25 and $12 million for each of FY26, 27, and 28. The City also will appoint an ADA coordinator who will: (1) focus on maintaining the pedestrian rights of way; (2) implement a pedestrian inspection program to monitor accessibility on a 10-year basis; (3) institute a maintenance program to clear clutter and vegetation on an annual basis; and (4) communicate to the public about the importance of accessibility to its rights of way. The City and the plaintiffs will renegotiate the terms in four years when the agreement concludes to decide possible future investment.
“As is the case in many historic East Coast cities, the challenge posed by our City’s sidewalks and curbs long predates the Americans with Disabilities Act and adequately changing our infrastructure poses a monumental task,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “However, under my Administration, we are committed to taking every action necessary to set the City on track to come into compliance with the ADA, and ensure Baltimore is more accessible to our disabled community than ever before. As with every deeply-entrenched problem, achieving this goal will not happen overnight, and it will ultimately cost far more than $44 million included in this settlement. But today, we join with all of our neighbors to announce the largest move in this City’s history to make our sidewalks accessible to everyone.”
This settlement must be approved by the City’s Board of Estimates, who will consider the agreement on November 20, 2024.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights & White Marsh Mall Successfully Conciliate Accessibility Complaint
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Tuesday, November 12, 2024
HUD Approves $115,000 Settlement with the City and County of Denver, Colorado, Resolving Claim of Disability Discrimination
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has entered into a Voluntary Compliance Agreement / Conciliation Agreement with HUD grantees, the City and County of Denver, Denver’s Office of Community Planning and Development, and Denver’s Board of Adjustments. This Agreement resolves findings related to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act and the remaining allegations of violations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 109 of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, and the Fair Housing Act. Read the Agreement, the Letter of Findings of Noncompliance, and the Revised Formal Determination of Noncompliance.
The Agreement resolves allegations that the Respondents violated the Fair Housing Act and were in noncompliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, by denying a Denver, Colorado, household a variance to the Denver Zoning Code to construct an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to meet the disability-related needs of a household member. Federal nondiscrimination laws prohibit disability discrimination against homeowners without disabilities who live or are associated with individuals with disabilities.
The agreement stems from a complaint that was filed by a same-sex, mixed race couple who applied to the City of Denver for a variance to the City’s ADU zoning code to construct an ADU with necessary accessibility features - a reasonable accommodation for the disabled mother of one of the Complainants. The complaint also alleged that the City’s reasonable accommodation request denial was based on the Complainants’ race and sexual orientation.
HUD conducted an investigation and issued a Letter of Findings in 2022 which found that the Respondents were in noncompliance with Section 504 and the ADA with respect to the City’s zoning processes. HUD found that the City violated its obligations under Section 504 and the ADA by failing to provide a reasonable accommodation to the Complainants and by lacking sufficient mechanisms to ensure compliance with its obligations to provide reasonable accommodations, resulting in discrimination against individuals with disabilities under Section 504 and the ADA.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Respondents will: (1) pay $115,000 to the Complainants; and (2) create a reasonable accommodation policy and guidelines within the City of Denver’s Office of Community Planning and Development, including tracking reasonable accommodations requests, and complete training requirements. As a result of the complaint, during the investigation the City revised its Zoning Code, which required a ballot initiative to amend the City of Denver’s Charter to change the Zoning Code to comply with the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, and the ADA.
Thursday, November 7, 2024
HUD Charges Macon, Georgia, Property Owner, Property Management Company, and Property Manager with Disability Discrimination
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has charged Macon, Georgia, property owner, property management company, and property manager, Macon MF, LLC, Active Property Management LLC, and Michael Bailey, with discrimination against a tenant because of her disability. HUD also charged them with retaliating against the tenant. Read HUD’s Charge.
HUD’s Charge of Discrimination alleges that the Respondents did not grant required reasonable accommodations when the Complainant requested an assistance animal and an alternate bathroom while the Respondents were renovating the sole bathroom in her unit. The Charge also alleges that the Respondents terminated her tenancy in retaliation for requesting the reasonable accommodations.
HUD's charge will be heard by a U.S. Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) unless any party to the charge elects to have the case heard in federal district court. If an ALJ finds after a hearing that retaliation has occurred, they may award damages to the complainant for harm caused by discrimination, injunctive relief, other equitable relief, payment of attorney fees, and fines. If the Charge is decided in federal court, punitive damages may also be assessed.
People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY). More info: www.hud.gov/fairhousing. Housing providers and other interested persons can learn more about their responsibility to provide reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications to individuals with disabilities here. Materials and assistance are available for persons with limited English proficiency. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact HUD using the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
11 Salisbury University Fraternity Members & Associates Charged with Assault & Hate Crime
Salisbury, Maryland police have arrested 11 men linked to a fraternity in connection with an assault in October, 2024 that led to hate crime charges. Police said detectives spoke with witnesses and obtained multiple cellphone videos of a man assaulted by several college-aged men on October 15. Detectives were able to identify and meet with the victim, who said a group of men used dating and social messaging apps to invite him to an apartment on University Terrace allegedly under false pretenses of having sex.
According to court charging documents obtained by WBALTV Channel 11 News, the suspect who reached out to the victim represented himself as a 16-year-old person. Police said the victim went to the apartment, where he was surrounded, kicked, punched, and spat upon while the assailants called him derogatory, homophobic names. The charging documents state that one of them struck the victim with a baking sheet. Police said the victim tried to leave several times but was thrown to the floor every time.
As a result, the victim suffered bruising throughout his body and a broken rib and went to a hospital in Cambridge. The charging documents state that the victim did not notify law enforcement of the attack because he was in fear of his safety and retaliation. Investigators said they believe the victim was targeted as a result of his sexual orientation.
Police released the identities of seven of the men charged with first-degree assault, false imprisonment, reckless endangerment, and hate crime offenses: Ryder Baker, 20, of Olney; Bennan Aird, 18, of Milton, Delaware; Riley Brister, 20, of Davidsonville; Cruz Cespedes, 19, of Jarrettsville; Dylan Earp, 20, of Gambrills; Elijah Johnson, 19, of Crofton; and Zachary Leinemann, 18, of Crofton.
The charging documents state that Brister confessed to his involvement in the assault, including kicking, slapping, pushing the victim, and preventing him from leaving the apartment. The charging documents state that one of the suspects, during an interview with detectives, identified others involved in the incident. Police said the suspects are members and/or associates of a fraternity at Salisbury University.
Anyone with information is asked to call Salisbury police at 410-548-3165 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Yehuda Bauer, Preeminent Historian of the Holocaust and Antisemitism, 98
Bauer, who fled Nazi Europe shortly before World War II and became one of the foremost historians of the Holocaust, combined academic rigor with humanity as he confronted an unfathomable event and sought to discern its meaning for the future. As a young Israeli historian, he did not set out to become an authority on the Holocaust, or the Shoah, another term used to describe the murder of 6 million Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators. Over the next half-century, Dr. Bauer wrote dozens of books that helped form the foundation of modern understanding of the Holocaust and antisemitism. He had lost his extended family in the slaughter, and his work served, in part, to document what had befallen them and so many other victims of Nazi persecution. But he did not regard it as his role simply to “memorialize” the dead, he wrote in his book Rethinking the Holocaust (2001). Instead, he wrote, “I ask questions about what happened and why.” That line of inquiry led him to move beyond existing Holocaust scholarship, which relied in large part on the Nazi bureaucracy’s paper trail and centered on the perpetrators. No true understanding of the Holocaust would ever be reached, Bauer maintained, without studying the victims.
In books including They Chose Life: Jewish Resistance in the Holocaust (1973), Bauer challenged a pernicious notion circulating at the time that Jews went “like sheep to the slaughter.” Citing diaries, correspondence, and oral histories, he showed that the Warsaw ghetto uprising of 1943 - when hundreds of Jewish fighters mounted the best known revolt against the Nazis - was far from the only act of insurrection by Jews in ghettos or elsewhere. He also highlighted on the everyday efforts by Jews to retain the dignity that the Nazis tried to strip away.
Bauer wrote extensively about the American response to the Holocaust, including in the book American Jewry and the Holocaust: The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, 1939-1945 (1981), and was among scholars who argued that President Franklin D. Roosevelt was unfairly condemned for what critics regarded as his insufficient efforts to stop the Holocaust as it was in progress. Later, Bauer had the painful experience of observing the emergence of pseudo-historians who sought to deny that the Holocaust had occurred or to suggest that the killing had been more limited than was generally understood.
Bauer taught for years at Hebrew University; served as an academic adviser to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust remembrance center in Jerusalem; and helped found the journal Holocaust and Genocide Studies. He explored topics including the founding of the state of Israel and the nature of modern antisemitism. His final books included The Jews: A Contrary People (2014). Bauer’s honors included the Israel Prize, one of the country’s highest honors, bestowed on him in 1998. He spoke critically of Israeli leaders, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he accused of using the Holocaust for nationalistic purposes and as a “tool for politics.”
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