Building Healthy Communities: The Community Reinvestment Act and the Financial Modernization Movement

Leadership Conference on Civil Rights & Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund - 2002

Enacted in 1977, the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") was the fourth in a series of laws which were collectively focused on combating discrimination in housing and the extension of credit on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

With consistent pressure and determination, Civil Rights and community groups have used the CRA to stem disinvestment and redlining in minority communities as well as to partner with banks to increase the level of homeownership in those communities.

This report details the CRA's origins in the Civil Rights Movement. It further documents the continuing need for the CRA and its vigorous enforcement, and celebrates the CRA's achievements.