Fair Lending Legal Advice Line

Boise, Idaho 8/3/2011--To address issues or questions about predatory lending, Idaho Legal Aid implemented a Fair Lending Legal Advice Line. Predatory lending is the practice of preying on, or taking advantage of, an individual or group of people that may have a difficult time buying or refinancing a home such as people who may be poor, uneducated, elderly, or in a protected class.  The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental of housing, and lending based on a person’s race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, or familial status (the presence of children under the age of 18).  The Fair Lending Legal Advice Line is funded by a Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  In addition to a toll-free advice line, free public training opportunities and workshops are also available and a fair housing website which will include a video that illustrates the warning signs of predatory lending. 

Consumers as well as housing providers and lenders, may contact the Fair Lending Legal Advice line by calling Idaho Legal Aid Services, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., M.S.T., (208) 345-0106 in Boise calling area, or statewide toll-free 1-866-345-0106, or (TTY) 1-800-245-7573.  En español llamada gratis estatal, 1-866-954-2591 o 454-2591 en la área local de llamadas en Caldwell or on the web at www.idaholegalaid.org. If you are a senior, you may also call the Idaho Senior Legal Hotline toll-free 1-866-345-0106 or 345-0106 in the Boise calling area, Monday and Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., M.S.T. and on Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. M.S.T.  Visit our web site at www.idaholegalaid.org for fair lending and fair housing information and materials.  E-mail the Fair Lending Advice Line at fairlending@idaholegalaid.org

 “The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication.  Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.”