President’s View

Housing Discrimination? Not in Our House.

BY JEFFREY JONES

As one of the most diverse states in the country, fair housing is one of the pillars of being a New Jersey Realtor®. We treat communities fairly because it’s good for business, but more importantly because it’s the right thing to do.

Fair Housing CE Requirement

Last month, the New Jersey Real Estate Commission mandated that 1 Fair Housing credit will be required for the current continuing education cycle. The NJREC has waived the $200 processing fee (late fee) until May 31 and has extended the current CE licensing cycle until July 19.

We know this is a last-minute addition to the CE requirements, but we have ways to help you complete them. If you only need the mandated fair housing requirement, New Jersey Realtors® Academy of Continuing Education offers a free one-hour course, Complying with the Fair Housing Act. Barry Goodman, NJ Realtors® General Counsel, covers vital topics you need in your day-to-day business, such as what you can do in your advertising and New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination.

If you need more than the fair housing credit, njrealtorsace.com offers online course bundles and a plethora of single online courses to help you finish your CE before the new deadline. If you’re looking to deepen your education, consider completing the At Home with Diversity® certification course through the National Association of Realtors® or your local board/association. The program helps prepare Realtors® to work with all potential buyers or sellers no matter their race, religion, gender, handicaps, or sexual orientation. In New Jersey, you can earn six CE credits for the class.

Other Ways You Can Commit to Diversity

Participate in the Fairhaven fair housing simulation developed by NAR. In this new training platform, Realtors® race against the clock to help their clients buy or sell homes while also walking in the shoes of homebuyers facing discrimination. Start the simulation at fairhaven.realtor.

According to the Perception Institute, stereotypes we have towards people without conscious knowledge are implicit biases. The Perception Institute developed an implicit bias test so participants could understand the biases and how they impact their everyday life. Take the test and watch the NAR training video to gain a further understanding of stereotypes and how they impact society.

For resources and to learn more about diversity and NJ Realtors®’ commitment to fair housing, visit njrealtor.com/diversity.