NATIONAL CONSUMER LAW CENTER INC

PROMOTING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW-INCOMES BY INCREASING ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE HOUSING AND HOMEOWNERSHIP, UTILITIES, AND CAR OWNERSHIP.TO REDUCE THE OBSTACLES PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOMES ENCOUNTER IN OBTAINING SAFE HOUSING AND ESSENTIAL TRANSPORTATION, NCLC DEVELOPS AND ADVOCATES REFORMS TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO FAIR LENDING AND HOUSING LAWS, FORECLOSURE AVOIDANCE PROGRAMS, AND AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO UTILITIES. CARS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR MANY FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC MOBILITY, SO NCLC ALSO PROMOTES EFFECTIVE CAR OWNERSHIP PROGRAMS AND COMBATS MISLEADING AND DISCRIMINATORY SALES AND LENDING PRACTICES. A FOCUS ON ADVANCING EQUITY AND RACIAL JUSTICE IS INTEGRAL TO THIS ADVOCACY, AS SYSTEMIC RACISM IN HOUSING, MORTGAGE AND AUTO LENDING THAT LEADS TO HIGHER RATES OF POVERTY, LACK OF HOUSING, A PERSISTENT WEALTH GAP, AND COMMUNITY DISINVESTMENT.

PROTECTING LOW-INCOME PEOPLE, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES FROM PREDATORY LENDING, RISKY FINANCIAL PRODUCTS, ABUSIVE CREDIT REPORTING AND DEBT COLLECTION, AND OTHER FORMS OF ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION. NCLC PURSUES REFORMS TO FEDERAL AND STATE POLICY, REGULATION, AND LEGISLATION TO HELP PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOMES, PEOPLE OF COLOR, JUSTICE-INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS, AND PEOPLE WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY HAVE ACCESS TO SECURE BANK ACCOUNTS; SAFE ACCESS TO CREDIT WITH INTEREST RATE CAPS; AND A PATH TO PURSUE A FRESH START THROUGH A REASONABLE BANKRUPTCY PROCESS. NCLC ADVANCES POLICY SOLUTIONS TO COMBAT: PREDATORY LENDING; ABUSIVE OVERDRAFT FEES AND INTEREST RATES; SCAM ROBOCALLS AND TEXTS; IRRESPONSIBLE CREDIT REPORTING; CRIPPLING MEDICAL DEBT; FORCED ARBITRATION; JUNK FEES; EXCESSIVE STUDENT LOAN DEBT; AND UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES.