The proverbial American dream of owning a home has become an all-too-real nightmare for a growing number of families. The most vulnerable segments of our society--including minorities, the elderly, and working families--are being victimized by financiers who lure them into commitments they cannot fulfill. Collectively known as "predatory lending, " these practices include offering higher interest rates than can be justified by the risk, high pre-payment penalties that lock families into exploitative loans, and monstrous balloon payments that often result in default and the loss of the home. The net result can be disastrous: damage to one's credit rating, bankruptcy, and even the loss of lifelong savings. Why the Poor Pay More is an incisive exposure of these practices--how they have evolved, why they have become so prevalent in recent years, and how their negative effects can be quantified--and showcases community efforts to combat them along with outlining active roles that individuals, advocacy groups, financial and legal service providers, and policymakers can play in reversing this destructive trend.