Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and the SCREA Are Working Together to Reduce Discriminatory Housing Appraisals

The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) and the Maryland State Commission of Real Estate Appraisers, Appraisal Management Companies, and Home Inspectors (SCREA) will work together regarding fair housing issues and complaints regarding real estate appraisals. The main goal of this interagency cooperation agreement is to better enforce Title 20, Subtitle 7 of the Annotated Code of Maryland concerning appraisal bias.

This is being done because recent research suggests that there are racial and ethnic differences in home valuations. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s 2021 appraisal statistics, 23.3% of homes in high minority tracts (80.1-100%) were undervalued. This is compared to 13.4% of homes in White tracts (0-50%) and 19.2% in minority tracts (50.1-80%). Bias plays a major factor in this statistic. While home appraisals are supposed to be independent, fair and objective estimates of market value so lenders can accurately evaluate risk, the results depend upon the appraiser’s expertise and familiarity with the neighborhood. The appraisal industry remains one of the country’s least diverse professions; 98% of appraisers are White, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“This is one of the major economic barriers that prohibit people of color from gaining generational wealth,” said Cleveland L Horton, II, Deputy Executive Director of MCCR. “By MCCR and SCREA formally working together, we can improve the appraisal process and create an equitable system that can be used to lift all Marylanders up the proverbial economic ladder.”

A formal memorandum of understanding solidifying this interagency cooperation between MCCR and SCREA will be signed on February 26th at 10 a.m. in MCCR’s headquarters (6 St Paul Street, Suite 900, Baltimore MD 21202.)

The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) represents the interest of the State to ensure equal opportunity for all Marylanders through enforcement of Title 20 of the State Government Article and Title 19 of the State Finance & Procurement Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.  MCCR investigates complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, health services, commercial leasing, and state contracts that are filed by members of protected classes under federal and state law.

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Read the February 15, 2024 MCCR press release.

 HUD Housing Summit 2023

HUD Bridging the Wealth Gap: Asset Building and Economic Justice Summit

May 1, 2023

11am - 4pm ET,

Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, 451 7th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20410

In person / Virtual option available

In addition to housing, asset building and financial empowerment are key components of HUD’s efforts to support those who have been historically underserved. During this hybrid convening, attendees will hear from HUD leadership and peers about the importance of leveraging housing as a platform to build assets and work towards economic justice. Participants will engage with community leaders, staff from across the federal government, policy experts, affordable housing practitioners, and other stakeholders in the field.

Housing, asset building, and financial empowerment are key components of HUD’s efforts to support those who have been historically underserved.

Learn about the importance of housing as a platform for asset building and economic justice. Engage with community leaders, staff from across the federal government, policy experts, affordable housing practitioners, and other stakeholders. 

Register for the HUD Summit.

 Civil Righhts Trainings

The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights provides  training support to agencies and individuals in Maryland. MCCR seeks to provide current and accurate information on issues affecting equal access and opportunity in housing, employment, public accommodations and state contracts. Through our Community Outreach & Education program, we offer workshops and seminars to agencies, businesses, and organizations throughout the State. For more information on our trainings, contact Dia Drake-Sprague   Victim of Discrimination? Training & Partnerships HOME      ABOUT MCCR      SERVICES      PUBLICATIONS      EVENTS      PRESS      CONTACT US

 Human Rights Day in Annapolis

Human Rights

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. The Maryland Association of Human Rights Agencies (MAHRA) and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights will host its annual Human Rights Day in Annapolis on Friday, February 17, from 8:30am to 12:30pm.  This year, we will be meeting in the Historic Inns of Annapolis, Governor Calvert House. Human Rights Day in Annapolis brings together a diverse group of civil and human rights leaders and advocates to discuss legislation of interest and importance pending before the Maryland General Assembly, as well as to engage one another on pressing issues facing our community and how we can work cooperatively together to positively impact civil and human rights in our state.    To register, click on the link HERE.     This is a FREE event but space is limited!!!!!!!!!   Victim of Discrimination? Training & Partnerships HOME      ABOUT MCCR      SERVICES      PUBLICATIONS      EVENTS      PRESS      CONTACT US

 RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS WORKSHOP TO BE HELD

Religious Accommodations During The Jewish Holiday Season Virtual Presentation by:  Kara N. Hunt, Ph.D. Director of Education & Outreach  Featuring Panelist: Howard Libit, Executive Director of the Baltimore Jewish Council   Are you wondering how you could best support your staff and community as the Jewish holiday season approaches? Join MCCR Education & Outreach Director Kara N. Hunt, Ph.D., & Guest Speaker Baltimore Jewish Council Executive Director Howard Libit for a workshop on religious accommodations during the Jewish Holiday Season. This workshop will focus on the legal understanding of reasonable accommodation for religious beliefs and practices of an employee or prospective employee by an employer. This program will also provide an overview of Traditions and Religious Practices, strategies for Respect and Inclusivity, Key Terms and Best Practices.   Date and time:   Thursday, September 29, 2022  12pm-2pm EST Register Here via Eventbrite   For Reasonable Accommodation Requests please contact:  Renee Hickman at: Renee.Hickman@maryland.gov no later than one week prior to the event Victim of Discrimination? Training & Partnerships HOME      ABOUT MCCR      SERVICES      PUBLICATIONS      EVENTS      PRESS      CONTACT US

 HUD TO HOLD HOUSING DISCRIMINATION IDENTIFICATION VIRTUAL CONFERENCE ON SEPTEMBER 27TH

On September 27, 2022, from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm EDT, 2M Research, with support from HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R), is hosting a virtual conference focused on the identification and measurement of housing discrimination. This conference is part of an exciting study to find new and innovative methodologies that uncover and measure housing discrimination. Our objective is that these methodologies will augment current testing approaches, such as paired and sandwich testing. This conference is an opportunity to meet experts in the field of discrimination research and testing, discuss ideas, and ask questions. The conference will feature a panel discussion focused on various topics, including: Promising or innovative research trends related to discrimination Gaps in research and testing of discrimination Methodological challenges in researching and testing discrimination Adapting testing protocols to technological changes (for example, ways to detect and capture differential treatment that might occur before in-person interactions) Opening Remarks: Housing Discrimination Study Innovative Methodology Project Background James Murdoch, Senior Policy Analyst, 2M Research Hiren Nisar, Director of Analytics and Senior Economist, 2M Research Panel Moderators Peter Christensen, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Christopher Timmins, Professor of Economics, Duke University Panel Mackenzie Alston, Assistant Professor, Department of Finance, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Peter Bergman, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Texas, Austin Fred Freiberg, Consultant for the Fair Housing Justice Center Peter Hull, Groos Family Assistant Professor of Economics, Brown University Stephen L. Ross, Professor of Economics, University of Connecticut We hope you can join this discussion on new ideas for measuring housing discrimination.