http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEMxNl6H-0s&feature=youtu.be
Dona Ana County is a community where a majority of residents are Hispanic and now, according to a new study, is also where more than a quarter of Hispanic residents were denied home loans.
The report, available online, says 28 percent of Hispanic residents in Las Cruces were denied the loans between 2004 and 2011.
Community leaders and residents gathered around a table to get a look at a new report from viva Dona Ana County. It’s about fair or affordable housing here.
“The data that we analyze…do not know the names or any of the social securities of any of the individuals.”
Director of research and planning, for Western Economic Services, Robert Gaudin, is presenting the findings from the report.
“The data…generally tells us why they were not granted a loan. The most frequent was credit…those types of things.”
With help from his staff, he has divided the city into economic regions and socioeconomic patterns.
From a certain vantage point, Las Cruces becomes thousands and thousands of rooftops. Each one together paints a picture. When you look at the data of the city, it’s a picture not everyone wants to see.
One such image is the shocking percentage of Hispanic residents – 28 percent –were denied home loans in Dona Ana County. For non-Hispanic residents, it was 13 percent.
“Generally speaking, I’m surprised that so many Hispanics…to help them operate better within the credit market.”
Gaudin points to one problem – federal programs that ended in 2008.
“The passage if you will, of a fair housing entity….county.”
Community director for Dona Ana County, Daniel Hortert, was at the meeting. He wants to re-implement the programs the city saw before 2008.
“It’s definitely something that needs to be done. Funding is going to be an issue, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Much of that funding would come from federal organizations like HUD and the USDA rural development program.
Bob Hearn was also at the meeting as a decade-long resident of Las Cruces. Here’s his personal prediction….
“Las cruces is going to look somewhat like it does now…my wife and myself that will add to the economy.”