Washington Dodges Bias Claims Over Race-Based Mortgage Loans

A Washington state mortgage loan program for racial and ethnic groups that historically have experienced housing discrimination can keep operating for now, a federal trial court said.

The Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism Inc. isn’t likely to win its claim that Washington’s Covenant Homeownership Act violated the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause by applying only to residents of Black, Hispanic, Native American/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Korean, or Asian Indian descent, Judge John H. Chun said Monday.

The judge denied the foundation’s request to halt the law while litigation proceeds, but said the case can proceed for ...