NFHA Takes BofA Discrimination Complaint into Midwest

The ""National Fair Housing Alliance"":http://www.nationalfairhousing.org/ (NFHA) filed a federal housing discrimination complaint with HUD against ""Bank of America"":https://www.bankofamerica.com/, alleging discrimination in how REO properties are marketed and maintained by the bank in three metros: Chicago, Milwaukee and Indianapolis. The most recent complaint is part of an amended complaint previously filed.

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In September, ""NFHA announced it filed a federal housing discrimination"":http://dsnews.comarticles/nfha-files-complaint-against-bofa-alleging-discrminatory-practices-with-reos-2012-09-25 complaint against the bank after evaluating REO maintenance in eight metros: Atlanta, Dallas, Dayton, Grand Rapids, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Oakland/Richmond/Concord, Phoenix, and Washington D.C.

Earlier in October, another complaint was filed based on investigations in Orlando and Charleston. The latest additions bring the total to 13 cities.

After conducting ""investigations"":http://www.nationalfairhousing.org/Portals/33/the_banks_are_back_web.pdf across the U.S., the organization alleges BofA has demonstrated a practice of neglect when maintaining and marketing REOs in black and Hispanic communities while maintaining and marketing REO properties in a ""far superior"" manner in predominantly white communities.

For example, in a release, the organization alleges that in Indianapolis, 71 percent of all BofA REOs in communities of color had substantial amounts of trash as well as 52 percent in Chicago and 33 percent in Milwaukee.

In April 2012, NFHA also filed HUD complaints against Wells Fargo and U.S. Bancorp.

In September, BofA denied the allegations in a statement.

""While we share NFHA's concern about neighborhoods, we strongly deny their allegations and stand behind our property maintenance and marketing practices,"" said Jumana Bauwens, a spokesperson for the bank. ""Bank of America is committed to stabilizing and revitalizing communities that have been impacted by the economic downturn, foreclosures and property abandonment.""