Discrimination is still prevalent in the United States and really across the world. There are still strong judgments and stereotypes that lead people's thoughts and behaviors, whether be positive or negative. However, there are agencies and acts that have been erected that support the rights of people.

There are many types of people that can afford housing currently, especially now that there are many government programs and financial support that leave owning a home an option for almost every American. Home ownership is no longer reserved for the middle to upper class, but can be achieved among all income levels and financial situations.

Because of these options, however, there are still some professionals in the mortgage and financial industry that carry a sense of judgment when people apply for loans. This is a really sad fact. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and Fair Housing Act (FHA) were developed in order to protect every person from discrimination. They have put rules, policies and protocol in place so that every person will be treated equally and fairly when considering financial assistance.

The ECOA protects the rights of a person to apply for a mortgage, refinance and make home improvements independent of all following factors: race, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, or use of a public assistance program. Also, every person can exercise his or her own right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act.

The FHA prohibits discrimination in all aspects or real-estate related transactions which include: selling, brokering, or appraising residential real estate, selling or renting a dwelling, as well as making loans to buy, build, repair or improve a residential dwelling. It also protects all these aspects independent of race, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, familial status, and handicap.

When applying for a loan, lenders must only base their decisions on the applicant's financial environment. This may include net income, expenses, debt and credit history. Not everyone will be able to qualify for a loan regarding these terms, and the lender may only deny financing if the applicant does not meet these financial requirements.

If your application is denied, the lender is required to identify why exactly it was not accepted. If it has to do with your financial situation, then that is acceptable. You can take actions to correct the problem set forth by the lender, or possibly try another who may be more forgiving and willing to accept more risk by charging a higher interest rate.

The best way to avoid being denied is to perform your due diligence on your own financial situation. Know your income, expenses, debt and get a free copy of your credit report so you can see your credit history and score. This way, you can wait to apply for a loan and clean up your finances, or be prepared for whatever decision is made. You can also use your self-analyzed financial situation to know whether or not you qualify for a long and if you are possibly denied, you know whether or not the lender is telling the truth.

If you need assistance in figuring out your financial environment, there are many tools and resources available to you through banks, government educational and financial programs, as well as on and off line. The best way to avoid discrimination is to be informed and educated in what it is you want to accomplish. There are also professional financial advisors that can guide you in the right direction.

You can do your part in avoiding discrimination by being a responsible and educated consumer. However, in the event that discrimination does take place, be sure to report to the FHA or US Department of Housing and Urban Development. They can assist you in taking action against the person or entity that was discriminatory and remove another source of discrimination from society.

If you file a complaint, be sure to include your name and address, the name and address of the person or company who is the subject of the complaint, the address or other identification of the housing involved, a short description of the facts that caused you to believe your rights were violated, and the dates of the alleged violation. The FHA or HUD will respond to your claim and proceed with action if necessary.

Let's work together by eliminating discrimination in the mortgage industry so that every person of any walk of life can have the same opportunities. By acknowledging discrimination and taking action, we are saying it is not acceptable. If you just let it go, you can bet the subject of a claim will discriminate again unless reprimanded. These acts and institutions were put into place to protect the American people, so use them to your advantage and protect yourself and educate those around.