[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 175 (Tuesday, December 6, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H7255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1745
HOUSING DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT AGAINST FANNIE MAE
(Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in support of the housing
discrimination lawsuit filed against the Federal National Mortgage
Association yesterday, Monday, by the National Fair Housing Alliance
and 20 local fair housing organizations across our Nation. The lawsuit
properly alleges Fannie Mae purposely failed to maintain its foreclosed
properties in African American and Latino neighborhoods to the same
condition as it maintains properties in Caucasian neighborhoods. Over
20 cities were involved in this filing, and investigations revealed
severe maintenance issues in communities of color, in contrast to
Freddie Mac, which maintains its properties at a much higher standard
in all neighborhoods.
With a net income of over $45 billion over the last 2 years, Fannie
Mae remains one of the largest issuers of single-family, mortgage-
related securities. This year, Fannie Mae reported holding over 40
million foreclosed properties, many of which they do not maintain.
So why hasn't Fannie Mae maintained its foreclosed properties in
African American and Latino communities? They certainly have enough
profits to do so. May the judges rule in favor of Fannie Mae meeting
its public responsibilities to the communities of this country as soon
as possible.
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