MCRC at Work

MCRC addresses systemic issues that keep low-and-moderate income families mired in poverty and curb predatory financial transactions that keep households from building assets.

The policy and program solutions that MCRC promotes directly affect the lives of Maryland families in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Prince Georges County. MCRC’s research examines the disparate impacts of policies based on income and other demographic factors and educational outreach targets those most in need of financial education and consumer protection information. Research and policy efforts in 2013 both include a focus on Baltimore City. 

MCRC has been succesful in advocating for numerous issues on behalf of the consumer. We have been able to effectively guide housing policies through various task forces.  MCRC has also been cited in various reports relevant to debt settlement. On our "MCRC in the News" page, you'll see several press releases covering a wide array of topics.

MCRC’s film “Stealing Trust” received an award for best community documentary film from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition in May 2012. MCRC staff has been interviewed by television stations CNN, WBAL-TV, Fox45, MPT, WMAR as well as radio stations WYPR and WEAA. Newspaper coverage of MCRC work includes the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post, Afro-American, City Paper, Frederick News, Prince Georges Patch, Baltimore Business Journal, and many others.

Organizational Accomplishments

MCRC has seen tremendous growth and effectiveness in achieving its mission in the past few years. Accomplishments include:

Passing pro-consumer legislation - MCRC passed eight out of ten priority pieces of legislation in 2013, seven of ten priority pieces of legislation in Annapolis in 2012, nine out of ten pieces of legislation in 2011, and eight out of ten pieces of legislation in 2010. 

Guiding Policy Through Task Forces - MCRC served on the State’sTask Force for Insurance of the Last Resort and the Governor’s Task Force on Foreclosures and Neighborhood Stabilization. 

Cutting-Edge Research - Our Maryland’s rent-to-own industry generated national and local press coverage. MCRC’s report on debt settlement has been widely cited in subsequent reports on the industry. 

Earned Media - MCRC’s film “Stealing Trust” received an award for best community documentary film from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition in May 2012. MCRC staff has been interviewed by television stations CNN, WBAL-TV, Fox45, MPT, WMAR as well as radio stations WYPR and WEAA. Newspaper coverage of MCRC work includes the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post, Afro-American, City Paper, Frederick News, Prince Georges Patch, Baltimore Business Journal, and many others.