Homes in Black neighborhoods are valued less than similar homes in white areas (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

When Jillian White’s parents decided years ago to refinance their home in Westchester County, N.Y., they chose not to hide family photos, books, and other evidence they are Black ahead of the appraiser’s visit, despite knowing that appraisers’ racial bias has sometimes translated into lower home valuations. White, who runs the appraisal department at the New York-based Better Mortgage Corp., testified at a Philadelphia City Council committee hearing Monday that the appraiser undervalued the family’s house by $100,000, which she attributes to racial bias.