Our America: Lowballed | Official trailer

SAN FRANCISCO– Black and Latino families have had their homes appraised for as much as $500,000 less than expected, and race has emerged as an important factor. Refinance requests in predominantly black neighborhoods are nearly five times more likely to be undervalued than in white communities, according to ABC Owned Television Stations data analysis of more than 50 million home loans. The analysis also found that home-buying credit is more than twice as likely to be underestimated in black neighborhoods. To raise awareness of this systemic issue affecting families across America, and to equip viewers with information on what to do if they’re feeling lowballed during an assessment, ABC Owned Television Stations has “Our America: Lowballed ” produced.

Watch the official trailer in the video player above.

Check back for the full special, premiering December 2nd, wherever you stream: Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku.

Take action against evaluation and other discrimination when looking for housing

When it comes to housing discrimination, it can feel isolating and difficult. You might question whether the treatment you received was discriminatory because you didn’t hear a friend or family member talk about it. But the reality is that each year in the US there are more than 4 million cases of housing discrimination, but less than 1% are reported, according to the National Fair Housing Alliance.

We’ve put together a list of verified local resources and step-by-step instructions to help you or anyone else facing this issue take action.

Where should I start?

Know your rights: The Fair Housing Act 1968 makes it illegal for housing providers, such as landlords and real estate companies, as well as banks, credit institutions, homeowners insurance companies or local authorities, to discriminate on the basis of a person’s race or colour, religion, sex or national origin , marital status or disability. Several states, such as California, offer residents additional protections from discrimination based on other identities, such as age, sexual orientation, or military status.

What about housing discrimination?

Discrimination can appear as receiving a lower rating because of a protected class; Refusal to sell, rent or lease any room, apartment/condo or home; an indication that a property or listing is not available when in fact it is; denial of credit or home insurance; Termination of a purchase or rental contract without giving reasons; inferior terms are offered in a rental agreement based on a protected class; or refusal to provide reasonable accommodation for a person with disabilities.

If I get a lower than expected rating, where do I start?

If you’re in the process of refinancing your existing home mortgage and you’re getting a lower-than-expected rating, you should apply for a value verification (ROV). The process varies from lender to lender, but it is essentially a challenge to the appraisal provided by an appraiser. This is the only way the borrower can point out factual errors, omissions or insufficient comparison properties in the lending process, according to the consumer protection authority. It is also the only way for the borrower to demonstrate that the rating was unlawfully influenced by bias or discrimination. An ROV request should include evidence of why the estimated value should be adjusted, such as: B. Additional comparable sales recently. Through the value verification process, the lender can accept or reject the application. If accepted, the lender may ask the appraiser who performed the appraisal in question to reconsider the assigned value based on the additional evidence provided. After reviewing the documentation provided, the appraiser can adjust the value or keep the estimated value. In some cases, the lender may hire a second appraiser to conduct a new appraisal.

How do I find support?

It can be confusing and even isolating when trying to report a case of housing discrimination, but there are local and national nonprofit housing civil rights organizations waiting to help you. Visit the National Fair Housing Alliance website to find local organizations that can assist you in filing a complaint with your state and possibly the Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

Click here to find a local fair housing organization to assist you with making a complaint

How do I file a complaint with my state?

The process for filing an administrative complaint is different in each state. Generally, you have one year from the date of the last known discrimination to file an administrative complaint with the state. We have located the links to submit state-level complaints for each of our ABC-owned television network markets. Remember that your local fair housing organization can assist you in filing your complaint and follow up on your case as it progresses. Note: It may take several months for the state to update you on the status of your complaint while it is being investigated. It may take up to a year (or longer) to receive the results of the investigation triggered by your complaint.

California | Texas | Pennsylvania | Illinois | New York | North Carolina

How do I file a complaint with the federal government?

You have one year from the last date of known discrimination to lodge an administrative complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. For example, if you receive a review that you believe was influenced by discrimination based on race or another protected class and received the report on October 6, 2022, you have until October 6, 2023 to file a complaint. If a local fair housing group joins you in lodging your complaint, it can increase your chances of passing the admissions process and leading to an investigation. This process can also take several months to know if your complaint has gone through the intake process and if it is being investigated. An investigation will likely take a few more months, if not longer.

Click here to file a complaint with HUD

If you have been discriminated against during the lending process (such as appraisals), you can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

What’s the point if the process takes so long?

Filing a housing discrimination complaint can have a number of consequences. The results vary depending on the type of discrimination. If you have been denied an apartment lease because the landlord has informed you that the apartment is not available, and in fact it was, a positive decision may result in the landlord/apartment provider allowing you to rent the property. If you’ve been denied better mortgage loan terms, a ruling in your favor could help you secure that lower interest rate. You can even receive financial compensation if HUD or state regulators reach an arbitration agreement with the person or organization accused of discrimination. Take this Chicago case, for example: HUD approved an arbitration agreement between JPMorgan Chase Bank and a black homeowner over allegations of racial valuation discrimination. Based on the homeowner’s complaint and the agreement reached between HUD and JP Morgan Chase Bank, the lender received a $50,000 settlement and promised to provide credit officers with additional training on how to deal with discrimination complaints in the appraisal.

What is my last resort?

You may also consider filing a federal lawsuit. This process can take a long time, but could lead to arbitration in the form of monetary compensation if the courts find that your civil rights have in fact been violated as a result of housing discrimination. If your local fair housing group accepts your case and agrees to assist you in filing a complaint with the state and/or federal government, a district attorney may also be able to assist you in filing a lawsuit and represent you in court proceedings .

Watch Our America: Lowballed starting December 2nd wherever you stream: Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku.