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Lending Discrimination

Discrimination in mortgage lending is prohibited by the federal Fair Housing Act which makes it unlawful to engage in the following practices based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability:

 

  • Refuse to make or refinance a mortgage loan

  • Refuse to provide information regarding loans

  • Impose different terms or conditions on a loan (interest rates, points, fees)

  • Discriminate in appraising property

  • Refuse to purchase a loan or set different terms or conditions for purchasing a loan

  • Discriminate in providing other financial assistance for purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing, or maintaining a dwelling or other financial assistance secured by residential real estate

 

              Disability Discrimination

              in Mortgage Lending

 

The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to discriminate in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability. 

This includes requiring persons with disabilities to provide medical or other documentation not required of mortgage applicants who are not disabled.

 

         Maternity Leave Discrimination

         in Mortgage Lending

 

The fact that an applicant is pregnant and/or on maternity leave alone is not a valid basis for denying or delaying a loan.

Excerpt from HUD FAQs: "If a borrower is on maternity or short-term disability leave at the time of closing, lenders must document the borrower's intent to return to work, and that the borrower has the right to return to work, and that the borrower qualifies for the loan taking into account any reduction of income due to their leave."

See Additional Resource:

Temporary Leave Income Guidelines

 

TAKE ACTION AGAINST LENDING DISCRIMINATION.

Some hurdles are expected in the race to purchase a home. But if you feel that you’ve been denied financing of a home because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability, or because of the racial or ethnic composition of your neighborhood, that’s against the law. Report it.

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