Are Predominantly Black Churches Facing More Foreclosures than White Churches in Many U.S. Cities

Are predominantly black churches facing more foreclosures than white churches across the United States?

Higher Ground Empowerment Center, a predominantly black Atlanta church, is facing foreclosure and pastor Dexter Johnson said the banks aren't doing enough to keep churches like his open. I don't know what the circumstances around his foreclosure woes are, but I do know when you are asking for black churches to be given preferential treatment, then you are asking for trouble. If such a request is granted, shouldn't all Hispanic and Korean churches be afforded the same favorable services?

Higher Ground Empowerment Center pastor Dexter Johnson says the bank has given the church until Aug. 31 to pay up or move out. He says they're trying to work with the lender to modify the loan, but suffered membership loss and damage during the 2008 Atlanta tornado and don't have a lot of resources. Johnson and a coalition of clergy leaders of other predominantly black churches believe banks are putting unfair pressure on them.

Two weeks ago, a bank evicted Darryl Winston's southeast Atlanta Church. Marshals dumped the church belongings in the parking lot. Winston believes as many as 40 other Atlanta churches like his could be facing the same thing soon. Johnson says the churches want banks to realize they're more than just brick and mortar buildings. Source

What I find loathsome is that many banks were only too happy to gobble up stimulus funds, but when it comes to helping Main Street they look the other way. This isn't just about black churches being thrown under the bus by mortgage holders. Many homeowners are being treated the same way and it is not fair. Exactly what is the Obama Administration doing that will help all the homeowners -- black, white, Asian, Hispanic -- who are struggling to make ends meet but losing the battle to stay afloat?