Economic Action MD Fund Fair Housing discussion on April 30th at the Northpoint Library

Everyone deserves a safe and affordable home. Yet, despite more than 40 years of civil rights work and laws, many Maryland residents still face discrimination when they seek an apartment or a mortgage. 

What kinds of fair housing issues happen most in Maryland? Where can individuals get help if they believe they’ve experienced housing discrimination? How does housing discrimination affect our community? Answers to these questions and many more will be topics at the April 30th Fair Housing discussion:

    April 30th, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

    Northpoint Library, 1716 Merritt Boulevard, Dundalk MD 21222

    Click Here to Register!

Our knowledgeable fair housing panelists include:

• Ahmna Khan, Director of Housing, Maryland Inclusive Housing.
• Susan McClanahan, Fair Housing Director, Equal Rights Center.
• Albert Turner, Attorney, Right to Housing Project, Public Justice Center.
• Moderated by: LaToya McKay, Fair Housing Specialist, Economic Action MD Fund.

We will also have resources on fair housing and other critical basic needs from nonprofits and state agencies including: the Family Crisis Center, Community Relations Commission, Community Assistance Network, Office of Attorney General Civil Rights, Fulton Bank, Economic Action Maryland Fund, Equal Rights Center, and Maryland Inclusive Housing.

Join us for this important discussion. Enjoy light food and refreshments and connect with groups that serve our community.  

We look forward to seeing you there!

HUD and Rocket Mortgage, LLC Reach Agreement on Montana Fair Lending Complaint for Home Purchase within Tribal Lands

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)'s Conciliation Agreement with Rocket Mortgage, LLC resolves allegations that Rocket Mortgage denied a mortgage loan application based on race because the home being purchased was located within the Tribal boundaries of a federally recognized reservation. Read the Agreement.

The case originated when a complaint was filed by a couple applying for a mortgage to purchase a single-family home within the boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation in St. Ignatius, Montana. Rocket Mortgage denied the loan application. As a result, complainants allege they were forced to pay a higher interest rate and accept a loan from another lender on less-favorable terms. The agreement resolves the complaint with Rocket Mortgage.

The agreement secures $65,000 compensation to complainants, requires Rocket Mortgage to provide fair lending training to its employees, and requires Rocket Mortgage to abide by fair lending requirements for applicants seeking residential mortgage credit located within the boundaries of a Native American reservation. Additionally, Rocket Mortgage will invest at least $30,000 to provide financial support for programs that improve housing conditions, consumer financial literacy and education, outreach and homeownership education or counseling for Native Americans. Rocket Mortgage also agreed to conduct outreach through its website and social media platforms describing the company’s broad range of financing options available to eligible applicants whose loans are secured by property located within the boundaries of Native American reservations.

People who believe they have experienced discrimination may file a complaint by contacting HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (Relay).

Housing discrimination complaints may also be filed at hud.gov/fairhousing.

Read the May 13, 2024 HUD article.