Every April Realtors commemorate the passage of the Fair Housing Act with events and education programs that focus on housing discrimination and segregation. Fair Housing Month signifies an annual recommitment to expanding equal access to housing.  

One way Realtors® check themselves is with programs like Fairhaven. In Nov. 2022, the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) launched the fair housing simulation training for its members. It uses the power of storytelling to help members identify, prevent, and address discriminatory practices in real estate.  

This is the time of year when real estate professionals are busy preparing for the housing market’s prime buying and selling season. It’s also when they take the time to observe the 1968 anniversary of the Fair Housing Act.  

Throughout the year, especially in April Realtors® check, educate, and hold themselves accountable for fair housing because That Who We R®.  

The tenets of how Realtors® have embraced the Fair Housing Act are best illustrated with their Fair Housing Declaration. It reads: 

“I agree: 

    –  Provide equal professional service without regard to the race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin of any prospective client, customer, or of the residents of any community. 

    – Keep informed about fair housing law and practices, improving my clients’ and customers’ opportunities and my business. 

    – Develop advertising that indicates that everyone is welcome and no one is excluded; expanding my client’s and customer’s opportunities to see, buy, or lease property. 

    – Inform my clients and customers about their rights and responsibilities under the fair housing laws by providing brochures and other information. 

    – Document my efforts to provide professional service, which will assist me in becoming a more responsive and successful Realtor®. 

    – Refuse to tolerate non-compliance. 

    – Learn about those who are different from me and celebrate those differences. 

    – Take a positive approach to fair housing practices and aspire to follow the spirit as well as the letter of the law. 

    – Develop and implement fair housing practices for my firm to carry out the spirit of this declaration.” 

While some may look at this as something to remember when putting together an ad or showing properties, others have a broader vision and commit to promoting fair housing and a better quality of life for everyone in their communities. It’s not only the right thing to do it’s good business.  

Housing is a major factor in defining a person’s quality of life. Where you live affects your access to social, cultural, educational, and other community amenities. In other words, housing discrimination is a denial of the opportunity to fully enjoy the American Dream.  

Realtors® see and appreciate how important this principle is to their role in the ongoing effort to help improve the quality of neighborhoods and communities.  

Like many other facets of the real estate market, fair housing issues are constantly evolving. That’s why Realtors® keep up with those changes through continuing education – much of it from the NAR. Through that, they build a better understanding of the demographics of their communities and the changing needs of homeowners.  

 Of special concern to this part of the state is the realization that the overall population is aging, so new residents are the key to sustaining and growing our population. As the housing demands for an aging population and new residents arise, Realtors® will be there to serve them with a commitment to fair housing principles.