Financial Justice Mapping Project

NEDAP provides geographic information systems (GIS) mapping support to community groups, advocacy coalitions, and legal services advocates in New York City.  NEDAP's maps are clear and compelling, and illustrate financial services access and other economic conditions in NYC neighborhoods. 

NEDAP has produced maps, for example, showing:

• Prime vs. subprime mortgage lending patterns
• Home foreclosure patterns in NYC neighborhoods
• Absence of bank branches in communities of color
• Fees paid for tax refund loans (aka "rapid refunds")
• Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) free cash access points
• Rent-a-Center store locations

See sample maps posted in our Map Gallery.

Examples and Impact

Groups have used NEDAP's maps to expose redlining and discriminatory lending practices, strengthen community education and organizing, support fair housing and civil rights litigation, educate elected officials about the need for policy reform and bolster corporate accountability campaigns.

Examples include:

• NEDAP and other members of New Yorkers for Responsible Lending have used NEDAP's subprime lending and foreclosure maps to educate community residents, elected officials and the media about predatory lending, and to advocate for strong anti-predatory lending legislation in New York State.

• "Rapid refunds" - or tax refund anticipation loans - drain millions from New York families and communities each year.  NEDAP has mapped tax refund lending throughout the state, illustrating their concentration in low income neighborhoods and communities of color.  New Yorkers for Responsible Lending has used the maps in press conferences calling for improved regulation of the loans.  Community groups, Earned Income Tax Credit advocates and free tax preparation providers have also used the maps in their outreach and education.

• NEDAP prepared a map showing the absence of mainstream banking services in Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, and North Corona for a group of immigrant advocates seeking to organize a community development credit union.

• Organizers of a Western Union boycott used NEDAP's map of money transmitter locations to support their campaign.

For more information

For more information

NEDAP provides mapping services to NYC community groups on a sliding-fee basis or at no cost, depending on organizational budgets.  To inquire about mapping assistance, please contact us online or by calling (212) 680-5100.