Home California DeSaulnier Passes Measure to Examine How Credit Scores are Used in Housing Discrimination

DeSaulnier Passes Measure to Examine How Credit Scores are Used in Housing Discrimination

by ECT
Rep Mark DeSaulnier

Washington DC – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) passed a measure that would study how credit scores are being used in housing decisions and examine whether individuals are being discriminated against in those decisions based on race, gender, age, sexual orientation, or other factors.

The amendment was included in the Comprehensive CREDIT Act (H.R. 3621), which passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 221-to-189.

“Credit scores impact our lives in so many ways – from rates on car loans and mortgages to whether you get hired or can find a place to live. Credit reporting agencies, however, are notoriously under-regulated and unaccountable to consumers,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “With credit being so important, we have to take the next step to get to the bottom of how inaccuracies come up and how they can cause negative repercussions now and in the future.”

The Comprehensive CREDIT Act addresses America’s outdated, broken, and mistake-riddled credit reporting system. Congressman DeSaulnier’s amendment would require the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the ways in which credit scores are weaponized to discriminate against borrowers and segregate communities along racial and economic lines. Congress last enacted comprehensive reform of the credit reporting system over 15 years ago.

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5 comments

Robert C Jan 30, 2020 - 7:00 am

One can see the camel’s nose getting into the tent here. This is headed to banning the use of credit reports in tenant applicant checks. Oakland, among other citadels of great government, already wants to ban the use of criminal background checks. Next, I suppose, will come banning the use of income verification. And California’s liberals continue to worship the idol of rental controls.

It doesn’t take a PhD to realize that all this is further incentive for owners to withdraw rental properties from the market and further disincentive to build new housing. Then, of course, we will hear wailing anew about the the lack of “affordable housing.” The idea that government can control housing markets more efficiently than the market is a mirage.

TSG Jan 30, 2020 - 7:27 am

Absolutely right Robert. But politicians (in particular the dems) don’t give a damm whether or not anything they do works. They just put it on their resume that they did something to look good. In this case, he got another press article which is positive about him.

Robert C Jan 30, 2020 - 10:44 am

You’re right! The important thing is to look like you’re doing something and appeal to your chosen special interests, isn’t it?

Dr. Jellyfinger Jan 31, 2020 - 7:05 pm

The Democrats pulled the sub prime loan scheme before…. I remember Bush warning Congress 17 times that it would be a disaster but they all ignored him & then blamed Bush when things went Kablooey! just like he said it would…. and all those people who weren’t qualified lost their homes. Dem’s rolled their eyes, whistled and walked away.

Antioch-Pittsburg Highway Feb 1, 2020 - 7:21 am

Let us review: The housing bubble that burst in late 2007 and early 2008 was created by what? Greed? What did this greed look like? Banks repackaged subprime mortgages and rated them high quality when they were in fact very poor. How poor? The people acquired the property with little regard to credit score, criminal history, wage, and appraisals of the properties. All under the mirage the banks are more concerned about racism and forgot about solid financial decisions. Mark you are a terrible politician for not learning from history.

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