This April, Realtors celebrate the 54th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act with special events that symbolize their recommitment to expanding equal access to housing.
WASHINGTON – The Fair Housing Act created a sea change of U.S. laws to guarantee that all Americans – regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, and disability – had an equally fair shot at the American dream of homeownership.
While the nation still hasn’t fully come to terms with equal access for all, the Act was the first and perhaps biggest step in getting there.
For Realtors, April is a time to honor passage of the Fair Housing Act, but also to look at the present and plan for the future. In addition to the Fair Housing Act, the Realtor Code of Ethics also requires Realtors to provide equal service on the basis of these protected classes, as well as on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Realtor resources for fair housing
- The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) published a Fair Housing Month Toolkit. Realtors can download a poster along with additional graphics and resources to help individuals and associations commemorate Fair Housing Month.
- NAR added a new episode to its podcast, Drive with NAR, called Fair Housing: Who’s Being Left Out of the Conversation?
- More information on advertising that follows the Fair Housing Act can be found in a new Window to the Law video from NAR: Advertising Within the Fair Housing Framework.
- Realtors can petition their cities and states to join them in celebrating passage of the Fair Housing Act. NAR created a proclamation that can be filled out for the request, available for download as an online PDF. Commemorate Fair Housing Month by asking your local government body to pass this proclamation supporting fair housing for all. Click here to download the Fair Housing Month Proclamation.
- On April 12, NAR will also release a new report, Obstacles to Homebuying.
- On April 27, NAR will host a Facebook Live event: “How Do We Close the Racial Homeownership Gap?”
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also celebrates passage of the Fair Housing Act in April.
“Fair Housing month is a time to recommit to our mission to promote fairness, inclusion and justice in housing,” says HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “This month and every month, we are doing everything in our power to ensure every person has a fair shot at the American dream.”
“Although the Fair Housing Act was passed 54 years ago, we are still fighting against discrimination in housing today,” adds Demetria L. McCain, principal deputy secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity. “This April, HUD is renewing its commitment to end housing discrimination and to ensure every person has equal access to safe, affordable housing.”
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