House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Researchers at the Ivy College of Business at Iowa State University analyzed national mortgage data from 1990 to 2015 and found the approval rate for same-sex couples was 3 to 8 percent lower than for heterosexual couples. Based on this data, same-sex applicants were 73 percent more likely to be denied financing and, if approved, paid more in interest and fees. Taken over the course of a 30-year mortgage, increased interest rates can add up to tens of thousands of dollars more being paid by same-sex couples. While the research cites a difference in finance fees averaging less than 0.5 percent, the combined costs added up to as much as $86 million annually. 
 
While mortgage applicants are not required to disclose their sexual orientation, researchers suggest that perception and internal bias is just as damaging in terms of discrimination. The federal Fair Housing and Equal Credit Opportunity Acts prohibit discrimination based on a borrower’s race, gender, marital status, or religion, but neither specifically lists sexual orientation. 
 
My legislation aims to combat this discrimination by amending Pennsylvania’s Credit Services Act. The bill adds denying credit or increasing charges and fees based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression as a “prohibited activity” for credit service companies. 

 

I ask that you support this legislation and join me in guaranteeing same-sex couples have equal access to credit and creating a fairer, more equitable Pennsylvania.