COVER STORY
Fair Housing for All
A
pril is national Fair Housing month. It is a time for us to observe the anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 with events and opportunities designed to educate about housing discrimination and segregation, and to renew our commitment to expanding equal access to housing. Realtors® are charged with upholding fair housing laws as well as offering professional service to all in their search for real estate. Fair housing is more than a list of dos and don’ts, rights and penalties, and mandatory continuing education. As stewards of the right to own, use and transfer private property, fair housing protects our livelihood and business as Realtors® and depends on a free, open market that embraces equal opportunity.1
RASM’S COMMITMENT Commitment to community is at the core of the Realtor® proposition. Diversity inspires us to challenge our assumptions; our different backgrounds and our points of view make us stronger when we consider them together. We mightily enforce that commitment through our Code of Ethics, which commands mutual respect regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, national origin, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, or any other qualities by which we may define ourselves. 6 | ELEVATE [ APRIL 2021 ]
“We’re proud to celebrate Fair Housing Month because we believe in the dream of homeownership for all people,” said Alex Krumm, Broker Owner of NextHome Excellence and 2021 RASM President. “We’ve pushed hard for years to make inclusion and equality a focus in both the national and our local conversations. Realtors® are citizens of our communities, advocates for all people, and dedicated to the principles of inclusivity and fairness.”
STAND UP TO THE CHALLENGE! RASM stands with NAR as they continue to strengthen their commitment to fair housing in the real estate industry. NAR’s Fair Housing Action Plan, abbreviated ‘ACT,’ emphasizes (A)ccountability, (C)ulture Change, and (T)raining in order to ensure America’s 1.4 million Realtors® are doing everything possible to protect housing rights in America. NAR 2021 President Charlie Oppler is asking that our Association leaders join the challenge, and in turn challenge their membership, by completing the Fairhaven Fair Housing Simulation, Implicit Bias Training, and to earn your At Home With Diversity® certification. Realtors® who complete these three programs will be empowered to confront and check their own biases; honor the Fair Housing Act, and work to end discrimination in housing.2 nar.realtor/fair-housing.
