Letters to Congress

Congress cannot miss this once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand homeownership and create racial justice and equity. Targeted DPA is one of the most cost-effective strategies to shrink disparities in wealth and narrow the homeownership gap.1 More than half a million Black and Latino families could become first-generation homeowners thanks to this program even if funded at $30 billion over ten years...

From the opening paragraph of the letter: On behalf of the undersigned civil rights, consumer protection, and housing policy organizations, we write to urge your continued prioritization of the housing-related provisions in the upcoming reconciliation package. These provisions are a down payment on this Administration's commitment to addressing long-standing inequities in our housing system and addressing the worsening racial wealth...

From the letter to Acting Director Shalanda Young, Office of Management and Budget We the undersigned civil rights and consumer advocacy organizations are writing in response to the Office of Management and Budget’s May 5, 2021, Request for Information on Methods and Leading Practices for Advancing Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through Government. We applaud the OMB for seeking...

From the letter to Secretary Marcia L. Fudge: On behalf of the clients and communities we represent, the 155 undersigned organizations are writing regarding the FHA foreclosure moratorium and the deadline for FHA borrowers to access COVID-19 forbearance plans, both of which expire on June 30, 2021, pursuant to Mortgagee Letter 2021-05. We urge HUD to extend the foreclosure moratorium...

The coalition of signatories to the letter consists of 325 groups, including civil rights, community, consumer, faith, housing, labor, legal services, senior rights, small business, student lending, and veterans organizations. The letter states that “[t]he rule replaces the longstanding ‘true lender’ anti-evasion doctrine with a ‘fake lender’ rule that allows lenders charging rates of 179% or higher to evade state...

Over 60 community development, civil rights, and small business groups are urging swift extension of the Paycheck Protection Program by Congress. The extension should not preclude any necessary SBA rulemaking authority. The letter also flags the continued need to make the recent change for Schedule C filers retroactive.

In the letter from 138 undersigned consumer, civil rights, community, housing, labor, small business, and other public interest groups: Commissioner Chopra is exactly the type of leader we need to serve as the next CFPB director. His commitment to consumer protection, effectiveness at using the tools of government to serve the public interest, and willingness to challenge powerful corporate interests...

100 organizations supporting African American, Latino and immigrant-owned businesses across the country, joined in this letter to request that changes be immediately made to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to increase meaningful access for sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals. While the Economic Aid Act addressed many of the impediments to access for business owners of color, barriers remain...

The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), Self-Help Federal Credit Union, Self-Help Credit Union, and the National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low income clients) (NCLC) write to share concerns with the Interim Final Rule on Overdraft Policy that was considered and tabled at NCUA’s May Board meeting. Unfortunately, the proposal fails to offer members relief from overdraft fees...

The Center for Responsible Lending applauds Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Elizabeth Warren; Representatives Pressley, Adams, Bowman, Jones, Omar, and Torres; and Chairwoman Waters for their bicameral resolution urging President Biden to take executive action to cancel up to $50,000 in federal student loan debt using legal authorities already granted by Congress. Cancelling student debt will provide both immediate financial...