Press & Guide: Congressmembers discuss need for housing equity in Michigan

Recently the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, chaired by Chairman Al Green (D-Texas) held a hearing in Detroit, hosted by U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-13th District), to discuss housing in Michigan.

The hearing titled, Examining the Housing Crisis in Michigan 11 Years After the Recession, explored the impacts of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), discriminatory housing practices, and how equitable and fair housing in Michigan can be achieved.

U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas) with the Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee as well as Michigan delegation members U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-12th District) and U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-14th District) were also in attendance for the hearing held at the Wayne County Community College – Northwestern Campus. The committee heard from housing experts, a representative from the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank, and a housing advocate that has been impacted by property tax foreclosures.

This was the first U.S. House Financial Services Committee field hearing to occur during the 116th Congress, under the leadership of Chairwoman Maxine Waters (S-CA).

“We heard directly from resident groups and advocates that there is a great need to investigate unconstitutional practices in tax assessments, stronger enforcement of the Community Reinvestment Act, more funding for homebuyers counseling and legal assistance, and the tightening of protections for land installments and lease-to-buy dealings. The hearing is the start of addressing the housing crisis in Wayne County and I look forward to working with my colleagues on meaningful action,” Tlaib said.

“It was an honor to come to Michigan’s 13th Congressional District to get a firsthand look at some of the housing problems and to hear from constituents their proposed solutions,” Green said. “Citizens of the 13th Congressional District are very engaged, have a very good understanding of the issues, and are working with their Congresswoman to continue the revitalization of housing in Michigan such that all persons benefit and no one is left behind.”

Congressmembers vowed to work on action to address the funding and oversight for housing programs on the federal level, as well as to ensure due process is afforded to residents facing foreclosure.

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