A one-year study conducted by the Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh concluded that racial discrimination continues to play a role in the granting of mortgage loans in the area.

The report released today shows African Americans received differential treatment, different terms and conditions, discouragement and outright denials in more than half -- 56 percent -- of the tests conducted at financial institutions in the Pittsburgh area.

From April 2007 through April 2008, the Mortgage Lending Testing Project used 50 pairs of black and white mortgage applicants to apply for loans and record their experiences. Based on income, debt, credit scores, savings and family composition, the African American testers were slightly better qualified than their white counterparts.

"Although our study was completed more than a year ago, today's headlines continue to call attention to the consequences of unfair lending practices," said Peter Harvey, executive director of the Fair Housing Partnership. "Obviously this remains a critical issue affecting home buyers and communities across our region."

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