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Fair Lending Program

Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) “Redlining” Map of New Orleans (1939)
Redlining Map of New Orleans (1939), Mapping Inequality Project, Univ. of Richmond
About the Program Combatting Redlining Initiative
Press Releases and Speeches Cases and Accomplishments
Annual ECOA Reports Legal Resources

About the Program

The Civil Rights Division Housing and Civil Enforcement Section vigorously enforces federal fair lending laws to protect equal access to credit. The Division has authority to enforce the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and the Fair Housing Act on its own or upon referral from another agency. ECOA prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, because an applicant receives income from a public assistance program, or because an applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The FHA prohibits discrimination in home mortgage loans, home improvement loans, and other home credit transactions because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability.

In October 2021, Attorney General Merrick Garland and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke launched the Combatting Redlining Initiative to address the persistent problem of redlining—a pernicious form of discrimination that plagues communities of color and widens existing racial disparities in wealth and homeownership. The Combatting Redlining Initiative is the Department’s most aggressive and coordinated enforcement effort to address the practice of lenders avoid providing services to communities of color because of the race or national origin of the individuals who live there.  Through the Initiative, the Department is partnering with U.S. Attorney’s Offices and coordinating with financial regulators to ensure that banks and lenders will be held accountable as we work to combat discriminatory race and national origin-based lending practices.

Combatting Redlining Initiative

Redlining and Your Rights (Nov. 21, 2023)

Justice Department Announces New Initiative to Combat Redlining (Oct. 22, 2021)

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Remarks Announcing a New Initiative to Combat Redlining (Oct. 22, 2021)

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks Announcing a New Initiative to Combat Redlining (Oct. 22, 2021)

Justice Department Announces New Initiative to Combat Redlining (Oct. 22, 2021)

Press Releases and Speeches

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Remarks at the National Action Network Annual Convention’s Women’s Empowerment Luncheon (April 7, 2022)

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Opening Remarks at National Action Network's Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast (Jan. 17, 2022)

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Opening Remarks for the Civil Rights Division’s Fireside Chat: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Jan. 13, 2022)

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Remarks at Dillard University’s 10th Annual Justice Revius O. Ortique Jr. Lecture on Law and Society (Nov. 18, 2021)

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Remarks Announcing a New Initiative to Combat Redlining (Oct. 22, 2021)

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks Announcing a New Initiative to Combat Redlining (Oct. 22, 2021)

Annual ECOA Reports

2022   2021   2020  2019  2018  2017  2016  2015   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 (B/W)   2010 (Color)   2009   2008   2007   2006   2005   2004   2003   2002   2001   2000  

Legal Resources

Interagency Statement on Special Purpose Credit Programs Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B (Feb. 22, 2022)

Memorandum of Understanding between the Consumer Financial Bureau and the United States Department of Justice Regarding Fair Lending Coordination and Press Release (December 6, 2012)

Department of Justice Guidance to the federal bank regulatory agencies on pattern or practice referrals (1996).

Learn more about the Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE)

Updated January 25, 2024