Environmental Health Watch

From: Kimberly Foreman [mailto:kmforeman@ehw.org]
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 4:12 PM
To: Comments
Subject: Oppose rule

To Whom It May Concern,

I oppose the FDIC's August 20, 2004, proposed rule that would exempt
some 96% of all FDIC-regulated banks from many of the requirements of the
Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). CRA has helped leverage billions of
dollars in resources for decent and affordable housing over the past two
and a half decades. As part of my job as a health educator, I go into homes
on a daily basis and conduct home health hazard assessments. Housing
conditions are a vital factor in the health of occupants, and older, low-
income properties in substandard condition typically present the greatest
health risks.
The proposed rule will undermine the ability of advocates for healthy
homes to convince banks to address healthy housing conditions and
affordability in low-income communities.

Thank You,
Kimberly Foreman
Environmental Health Watch
3500 Lorain Ave. #302
Cleveland, Ohio