COVID-19 Exacerbates Low-Income Households’ Cost Burdens
(Story by Chuck Green) COVID-19 is having an especially pronounced impact on the affordability of housing among low-income individuals—that includes a disproportionate number of older Americans and people of color—according to a survey from Harvard University's Joint...
Remote Work Boosts Black Renters’ Ability to Buy Homes
(Story By Andy Beth Miller) According to a recent report published by Zillow, the recent rise in remote work, which has resulted from COVID-19, has affected the housing industry in interesting ways. Zillow data shows that among American renters, Black renters are 29%...
Fannie Mae Recognized as a Top Company for Inclusion
Fannie Mae was named a top company for inclusion by the National Business Inclusion Consortium, a coalition formed by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, according to Fannie Mae. This year’s fifth annual “Best-of-the-Best Corporations for Inclusion” cohort features...
The Suburbs’ Changing Demographics
(Story by Chuck Green) Over the last decade, U.S. suburbs have become more racially and ethnically diverse—not to mention more Democratic, according to Redfin.com. To get a better handle on this transition, the company studied data from the U.S. Census, along with...
The Benefits of Homeownership Often Elude Black Americans
Owning a home is a tool for building wealth and stability, but a report from researchers at the Urban Institute indicates that is less applicable to people of color. Not only do Black Americans face more barriers to homeownership, but they also accrue less wealth than...
The Clinton Foundation Hosts Discussion of Affordable Housing
—Story by Cristin Espinosa The Bill Clinton Foundation has launched a virtual conference series titled “Building an Inclusive Recovery,” in which President Bill Clinton speaks with changemakers aiming to address racial and economic disparities in the wake of COVID-19....
Mortgage Professionals Gather to Discuss Diversity and Inclusion
Five Star Global’s American Mortgage Diversity Council (AMCD) this week hosted its Fall Virtual Member Meeting, “Connecting Across Distances,” during which industry professionals gathered to address race and inclusion. AMDC’s Vice-Chair Jodi Gaines, Chief Client...
The ‘Anti-Redlining’ Law’s Uncertain Future
A primary goal of 1977's Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) was to reverse the effects of redlining, a practice by which the federal government and banks actively avoided lending to borrowers from lower-income and minority neighborhoods. Some housing advocates believe...
Habitat for Humanity to Congress: ‘Act Now for Housing’
About 30-40 million American homeowners and renters face foreclosure or bankruptcy and loss of housing when protective moratoria expire December 31, studies show. Researchers add that the event would have a significant impact on minority homeowners. The global...
Planet Home Lending Names New Chief Human Resources Officer
Planet Home Lending, a national lender and servicer, has named Ben Hughes as EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) to support overall HR strategy and operations. "At a time when the industry is booming and demand for human capital outstrips supply, Ben brings...