ATLANTA, GA. (December 21, 2020) – Facing the risk of losing their homes due to COVID-19 related hardship, 21 Atlanta-area families will now be able to spend the holidays in their homes thanks to a pilot program by the NAACP Empowerment Programs and Experian. The Home Preservation Grant is providing mortgage relief up to $10,000 per recipient.
The grant is the result of Experian’s partnership with NAACP, and is part of Experian’s United for Financial Health initiative, which aims to empower and protect vulnerable consumers to improve their financial health through education and action.
"Homeownership is one of the most important ways Black families achieve economic stability and wealth. This opportunity allowed us to help several families by providing some financial relief to those unable to maintain their monthly mortgage payments due to COVID-19. While we recognize the financial need is great for so many families struggling during this unprecedented pandemic; we are grateful to provide this assistance. The NAACP remains committed to lifting up those in need and building bridges to economic stability," said Dawn Chase, NAACP senior program manager of Inclusive Economy.
“Buying a home is one of life’s milestones. Knowing the pandemic has created so much instability in many different aspects of our lives, we are proud Experian can provide tools and resources through initiatives like the Home Preservation Grant to bring about peace of mind. It is an honor to partner with the NAACP on this pilot program,” said Experian North America CEO Craig Boundy.
Grant recipients represent a cross-section of the Atlanta area, including Christopher Heard, who serves in the Army National Guard Reserve and works in the airline industry. After Heard’s employer cut his hours, he found it difficult to meet his mortgage payments on time.
“We basically lost about 25-30% of our salaries across the board. COVID-19 was an unexpected curveball for everyone. This grant helps put me back on track, so I am grateful. I’d like to send a sincere thank you to the NAACP and Experian for their help,” Heard said.
Heard joins another recipient of The Home Preservation Grant, and community activist, Grammy-award winning artist and native Atlantan Lecrae in sharing the impact the grants will have on their lives and communities in this video.
Investing in communities is a key pillar of Experian North America’s Corporate Responsibility program. Initiatives like United for Financial Health are one example of how the company is committed to investing time, resources and partnerships to create a better tomorrow by helping millions gain access to essential everyday services, facilitating inclusion and diversity, and managing Experian North America’s environmental footprint responsibly.
About NAACP
Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
The NAACP is a c4 organization (contributions are not tax-deductible), our partner c3 organization is known as NAACP Empowerment Programs (contributions are fully tax-deductible as allowed by the IRS).
In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation’s first civil and human rights law organization, and shares our commitment to equal rights.
About Experian
Experian is the world’s leading global information services company. During life’s big moments – from buying a home or a car, to sending a child to college, to growing a business by connecting with new customers – we empower consumers and our clients to manage their data with confidence. We help individuals to take financial control and access financial services, businesses to make smarter decisions and thrive, lenders to lend more responsibly, and organizations to prevent identity fraud and crime.
We have 17,800 people operating across 45 countries and every day we’re investing in new technologies, talented people and innovation to help all our clients maximize every opportunity. We are listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and are a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
Learn more at www.experianplc.com or visit our global content hub at our global news blog for the latest news and insights from the Group.