FAIR HOUSING
April 11, 2021 marks the 53rd Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act.
Every April, REALTORS® commemorate the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 with events and education that shine a light on housing discrimination and segregation. Fair Housing Month signifies a recommitment to expanding equal access to housing.
Implicit bias is often a manifestation of muscle memory. A go-with-your-gut unconscious choice, act, or opinion with immeasurable consequences that can–and have–impacted generations.
Slow down, course correct, and take action. Throughout the year we must remain steadfast in our commitment breaking down biases, holding ourselves accountable, and upholding the letter of the law.
So, refresh your memory, and open your mind. There’s always more to know, and we can all do better.
Check yourself.
Educate yourself.
Hold yourself accountable.
Because That’s Who We R®.
Fair Housing Book Recommendations:
Residential segregation in America didn’t happen by accident. Americans of different racial backgrounds live apart because of deliberate actions by public and private actors. NAR’s Director of Federal Fair Housing Policy, Bryan Greene, compiled a collection of fair housing titles to help NAR members deepen their understanding of how we became divided, and of the ramifications of living in a segregated society. Don’t have time to read an entire book? Each recommendation also includes book reviews, interviews, videos and other tools to give you a quick recap.
Fair Housing Film and Video Recommendations:
Short videos, documentaries, and a featured length major motion picture help educate about housing discrimination, segregation, and the people working to correct these social and economic wrongs.
Fair Housing Research Reports & Resources:
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State of Housing in Black America Report | NAREB: National Association of Real Estate Brokers
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State of Hispanic Homeownership Report | NAHREP: National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals
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State of Asia America Report | AREAA: Asian Real Estate Association
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Long Island Divided | Newsday
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Mapping Inequality | University of Richmond
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Deliberately Fair Housing | Facebook Group
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How the home appraisal gap makes homeownership more difficult and costly for Black families | Bankrate
Fair Housing Podcasts:
Like to learn about the world from podcasts? We’ve got you covered. From This American Life to The Bowery Boys, NAR presents podcasts that will educate you on Fair Housing.
Fair Housing Journalism:
A compilation of articles featuring the work of investigative journalists who have uncovered critical fair housing stories, along with civil rights scholars who have condensed their books into a shorter form. They’ll help you deepen your understanding of fair housing in less time than it takes to read an entire book.
(Sources: National Association of REALTORS® & California Association of REALTORS®)
Click here for resources to help you promote April is Fair Housing Month and educational resources to keep you informed.
On Wednesday, April 7, 2021, Mammoth Lakes Town Council proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month.
See below how Fairhaven, NAR’s new fair housing training simulation for REALTORS®, allows members to test their compliance with fair housing principles by using the power of storytelling to identify, prevent, and address discriminatory practices in real estate.
