As the Justice Department commemorates the third anniversary of its Combating Redlining Initiative, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke and U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves took to D.C.'s U Street Corridor for a "Walk the Redline" event. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office press release, they highlighted the neighborhood's history and the ongoing battle against lending discrimination in communities of color during their walk. Assistant Attorney General Clarke and U.S. Attorney Graves stopped by stalwart Black-owned businesses like Industrial Bank, Lee's Flower and Card Shop, and Ben's Chili Bowl to discuss the impact of fair access to financial services.
The initiative, which marks the 30th anniversary of the Justice Department's redlining enforcement, aims to hold financial institutions accountable for the systemic denial of services based on race or national origin. According to a statement, these efforts have resulted in 13 settlements totaling $137 million in relief for affected communities since its launch in 2021.
Upcoming changes signal further progress in the fight against discriminatory lending. Starting in 2025, lenders will be mandated to collect and report on the racial demographics of small business loans. "The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, along with our partners at the Civil Rights Division, are committed to holding accountable those banks that are not providing equal access," said U.S. Attorney Graves, as reported by the Justice Department's press release.
For those interested in learning more about fair lending enforcement or reporting lending discrimination, details are available at the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division website. You can also call their housing discrimination tip line or submit a report online.
