This chart shows the share of home loan applications approved in Ft. Myers. Studies show white applicants are more likely to get a loan than Black, Latino or Hispanic applicants even when income, debt, credit scores and other factors are similar. Researchers also found white families get lower interest rates, higher appraisals and better loan terms than buyers who are Black, Latino or Hispanic, resulting in lower mortgage payments. We considered a gap of more than five percentage points inequity.

This chart shows the gap in median household income across the Ft. Myers region. Researchers have found Black applicants are hired less and paid less, even with the same education and experience. The advantage for white families is substantial, with Black, Latino or Hispanic families earning at least 10% less in all 100 metro areas and at least 30% less in 89 of 100 metro areas.

This chart shows the share of households in Ft. Myers who own their homes. Studies show home ownership provides a significant advantage in families’ financial safety net and ability to build generational wealth. White families are more likely to have the advantage of owning their home in all 100 major metro areas. The smallest gap for Black families was 19 percentage points. It was more than 30 percentage points in more than half of metro areas.