Reveal, October 25, 2018: We exposed modern-day redlining in 61 cities. Find out what’s happened since
Across the country, officials have picked up the torch at the state and local levels. The response has been greatest in Philadelphia, the city most prominently featured in the Reveal report, where lawmakers, community activists and lenders have all responded.
On Oct. 9, more than 300 of them gathered at a hotel in the colonial quarter of Philadelphia, a short walk from the spot where the U.S. Constitution was signed, for an all-day summit organized by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro launched a fresh push in his investigation of modern-day redlining Tuesday, calling on home loan applicants in Philadelphia to file complaints with his office if they believe they have faced discrimination or experienced irregularities when trying to take out a mortgage.
Pennsylvania is one of five states, along with the District of Columbia, whose attorneys general have launched investigations following a February expose from Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting. We found that in 61 cities – including Atlanta, Detroit and Washington, D.C. – people of color were far more likely to be turned down for a home loan than their white counterparts.
Pennsylvania state Sen. Vincent Hughes is preparing a comprehensive package of legislation designed to fight redlining to be introduced when the Legislature convenes in January. His package includes three initiatives: a Pennsylvania Community Reinvestment Act, a Pennsylvania State Bank and a Pennsylvania State Credit Bureau.
On Oct. 4, the Philadelphia City Council passed a $100 million affordable housing package that includes set-asides to help first-time homebuyers and long-time residents seeking home improvement loans to maintain their properties.
The Philadelphia announcement comes after Chase pledged a major expansion in Washington, D.C., following a report from Reveal that the bank had evaded enforcement under the Community Reinvestment Act. The report detailed how Chase had overwhelmingly helped white homebuyers in the nation’s capital, while denying prospective black and Latino homebuyers at higher rates.
