Every April, Realtors across the country commemorate Fair Housing Month to signify our recommitment to expanding equal access to housing. Fair Housing Month celebrates the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 with events and education that shines a light on housing discrimination and segregation.
When studying the history of housing in this country, it’s easy to think discrimination in the real estate industry is an unsightly blemish buried in our distant past. Unfortunately, this kind of discrimination is still possible today.
Residential segregation in America doesn’t happen by accident. Americans of different races live apart because of deliberate actions by public and private actors. There can even be ties to governing bodies perpetrating programs and incentives to keep different races and classes of people apart.
But as community leaders, Realtors have the opportunity to be a part of the transformative solution, providing equal service to all.
The National Association of Realtors’ Fair Housing Action Plan emphasizes accountability, culture change and training to ensure America’s 1.5 million Realtors are doing everything possible to protect housing rights in America.
To help in this effort, NAR launched Fairhaven.realtor, an innovative online simulation in which agents work against the clock to sell homes in the fictional town of Fairhaven while confronting discrimination in the homebuying process.
During the training, learners also walk in the shoes of a homebuyer facing discrimination. The training provides customized feedback learners can apply to daily business interactions.
What do these fair housing efforts look like locally? Greater Chattanooga Realtors is holding a number of classes this month to make sure our members are up-to-date on the latest ways to maintain their vigilance and commitment to fair housing.
Since NAR introduced Fairhaven in 2020, over 150 Greater Chattanooga Realtors have completed or are in the process of completing the simulator. Simply put, Realtors understand the local markets and their impact on the real estate industry. Our members know best how to work with potential buyers and sellers, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin.
Fair housing is more than a list of do’s, don’ts, rights, penalties and mandatory continuing education. As stewards of the right to own, use and transfer private property, fair housing protects our livelihood and depends on a free and open market that embraces equal opportunity.
Realtors work for our clients and community every day. That’s Who We R.
Founded in 1912, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is a regional organization with more than 2,500 members servicing Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. The association is one of approximately 1,100 local associations and board of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors owns and operates a multiple listing service that is one of approximately 600 MLSs in the country and services more than 2,700 users.