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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Susan (573) 751-1518
April 24th, 2009
MCHR Commemorates National Fair Housing Month
Missouri Commission on Human Rights Held Fair Housing Symposium to Educate Missourians
Columbia, Mo- The Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR) partnered with the City of Columbia Human Rights Commission, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the University of Missouri Law School to observe Fair Housing Month and to educate Missourians about discrimination in the rental and sale of housing, mortgage lending, real estate transactions, predatory lending, and affordable housing.
“During these difficult economic times, Missourians need as much information as possible to protect themselves from discriminatory housing practices,” says Alisa Warren, Executive Director of the MCHR. “Housing choice determines access to quality schools, jobs, healthcare, recreation, and public services. Falling prey to discrimination takes that choice away.”
According to HUD, mortgage-lending discrimination has become one of the most widespread forms of housing discrimination. Every year, first-time purchasers, uninformed homebuyers, and seniors are stripped of their home equity and face foreclosures because they become victims of predatory lending. MCHR investigated more housing discrimination complaints than any other state in the mid-western region.
“Missourians are losing their homes and investments because they were mislead about the property they bought, pressured to accept higher-risk loans, charged high-interest rates based on their race rather than their credit, or were deceived about the loan terms at the end of closing,” says Warren.
Enforcement is not enough; consumer education is the key to fighting housing discrimination. Here are some helpful protection tips from HUD:
- Interview several real estate agents and ask for their references before you choose one
- Check out the prices of other homes in the neighborhood
- Hire a licensed home inspector to carefully review the home or apartment
- Shop for a lender and compare costs
- Do not let anyone persuade you to make false information on a loan application
- Do not let anyone persuade you to borrow more money than you can afford to repay
- Never sign a blank document or a document containing blanks
- Read everything and do not sign anything you do not understand
- Have your attorney or a HUD-approved housing counseling agency review your contract and loan
For more information about housing discrimination or to file a complaint, visit http://www.dolir.mo.gov/hr/charge.htm or call (573) 751-3325.
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