Structural discrimination left Black and brown families and communities more vulnerable leading into the Great Recession, and the inadequate response to it left them worse off. Today, our financial and health crises fall disparately on them again – and we need your help to ensure the ongoing response focuses on their needs once and for all.
A deep commitment to equity, fairness, and justice guides our work at the Center for Responsible Lending to eliminate systemic injustice in America’s financial services. We fight hard for low-to-moderate income individuals, Black and brown families, women, veterans, and other financially vulnerable communities.
Our key focus areas in building forward include equitable support for small business owners of color, creating more affordable housing opportunities through homeownership and rental assistance, and reducing student loan debt.
Black and Latino homeownership rates still considerably lag white homeownership rates by close to 30 points and are likely to drop. Exclusionary housing policies contributed to today’s persistent wealth gap where whites have ten times the wealth of African Americans and eight times the wealth of Latinos. The uneven recovery will drive the racial wealth gap higher, and it means families of color with fewer resources, specifically in terms of home equity, don’t have a cushion to help manage unexpected COVID-19 related expenses.
As a leading national voice, our messaging on housing has been clear: keep people in their homes and provide real support and opportunity for families. Donations to CRL fund urgent policy and advocacy efforts like these and with your support, CRL’s success will enable millions of families to move on from devastating losses and create a more inclusive economy.
With gratitude,
Nikitra Bailey
Executive Vice President
Center for Responsible Lending
The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) is a leading nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focused on financial fairness and opportunity. Fighting for economic justice for low- and middle-income families, military personnel and veterans, and people of color is our mission and highest priority.
