We saw the headlines in the local news: Memphis is ranked #1 as the most dangerous city for pedestrians. The comment section of those headlines mentioned fast cars, potholes, uncontrolled drivers, the lack of traffic enforcement, and even, shamefully, the victims themselves as the sources of the increase in pedestrian deaths. However, one of the greatest contributors to pedestrian fatalities was never mentioned: design.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024, the United States Department of Justice reached an agreement with Patriot Bank regarding claims of lending discrimination and redlining in majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in Memphis, Tennessee. To resolve these allegations, Patriot Bank has been charged to invest $1.9 million in local communities of color.

Complaints against Patriot Bank allege that between 2015 and 2020 the bank "avoided providing mortgage services to majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in Memphis and discouraged people seeking credit in those communities from obtaining home loans" (U.S. Department of Justice, 2024). It was found that Patriot's mortgage lending disproportionately occurred in majority white communities in Memphis. Further, it was found that other banks "received nearly 3.5 times as many loan applications [in Black and Brown communities] compared to Patriot" (U.S. Department of Justice, 2024). 

The settlement requires Patriot Bank to invest $1.9 million to expand lending and credit opportunities to communities of color in Memphis, TN. Patriot Bank has agreed to do so through the 6 following strategies: 

1. Invest at least $1.3 million in a loan subsidy fund to increase access to home mortgage, home improvement and home refinance for residents of majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods

2. Spend $375,000 for advertising, outreach, consumer financial education and credit counseling focused on majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods

3. Spend $225,000 on community partnerships to provide services that increase residential mortgage credit access for residents of those neighborhoods

4. Ensure at least two mortgage loan officers are dedicated to serving majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in the Bank’s service area

5. Employ a Director of Community Lending who will oversee the continued development of lending in communities of color

6. Continuously assess the communities’ credit needs throughout the term of the consent order.

This settlement likely heralds new funding and partnership opportunities for local organizations involved in community development, fair housing, and financial empowerment. We look forward to seeing the impact of this $1.9 million investment in Memphis communities.

Read the full Department of Justice Press Release here.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice. (2024, January 19). Justice Department Secures Agreement with Patriot Bank to Resolve Lending Discrimination Claims [Press Release].

Strong leaders support strong neighborhoods. BLDG Memphis along with our partners will host a nonpartisan candidate forum in the lead up to the City of Memphis City Council elections in October. The questions posed to the candidates during the forum will focus on issues of neighborhood investment. Prior to the event on July 27, candidates submitted a questionnaire responding to questions related to affordable housing, transit & mobility, solid waste & litter, and racial equity. Here are the responses from candidates running for City Council positions.

Please note that the Qualifying Deadline for Candidates is July 20th. If a candidate exits the race, we will remove their responses from this page.

Responses are organized by District Position below. Also check out our City Council Voter Guide, which rates each Candidate Questionnaire response according to a Best Practices Rubric designed with our members' best practices in mind.

Strong leaders support strong neighborhoods. BLDG Memphis along with our members will host a nonpartisan candidate forum in the lead up to the City of Memphis Mayoral election in October. The questions posed to the candidates during the forum will focus on issues of neighborhood investment. Prior to the event on July 27, candidates submitted a questionnaire responding to questions related to affordable housing, transit & mobility, parks and libraries,` and racial equity.

Here are the responses from candidates running for Memphis Mayor. Also check out our Memphis Mayor Voter Guide, which rates each Candidate Questionnaire response according to a Best Practices Rubric designed with our members' best practices in mind.

Strong leaders support strong neighborhoods. BLDG Memphis along with our partners MICAH Memphis, NAACP, Frayser CDC and LISC Memphis will host a nonpartisan candidate forum in the lead up to the Shelby County Municipal election in August. The questions posed to the candidates during the forum will focus on issues of neighborhood investment. Prior to the event on July 19, candidates submitted a questionnaire responding to questions related to affordable housing, transit & mobility, solid waste & litter, and racial equity. Here are the responses from candidates running for County Mayor, Assessor of Property, Trustee, Environmental Court Judge and Register of Deeds. 

Strong leaders support strong neighborhoods. BLDG Memphis along with our partners MICAH Memphis, NAACP, Frayser CDC and LISC Memphis will host a nonpartisan candidate forum in the lead up to the Shelby County Municipal election in August. The questions posed to the candidates during the forum will focus on issues of neighborhood investment. Prior to the event on July 19, candidates submitted a questionnaire responding to questions related to affordable housing, transit & mobility, solid waste & litter, and racial equity. Here are the responses from candidates running for County Commissioner. 

On February 1,  BLDG Memphis kicked off Black History Month and our first Pizza with Planners of the year with a discussion around demystifying transit funding.

Community Land Trusts are designed to ensure community stewardship of land. BLDG Memphis wrapped up our 2021 Pizza with Planners series with Landing on CLTs: Preserving Homeowner Equity in Neighborhoods. The panelists from across the community development sector spoke about the need for community land trusts and the transformative effect it can have on building equity and preserving affordability in neighborhoods.

Three years ago, when I first moved to Memphis, I was alarmed by the lack of non-motorized transit options for residents in the city. Without having a car, I found it extremely difficult to take advantage of professional opportunities, access grocery stores, travel to work, or attend recreational events.

When nonprofit BLDG Memphis asked me to give a resident testimonial about my father's fatal bike crash and its effect on my family, I wondered how I would even begin to describe the tragedy that changed our lives in ways both predictable and unforeseen.