Every year Realtors join the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and the rest of the nation in recognizing April as Fair Housing Month. This year is especially significant because it is the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Fair Housing Act.
On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed the landmark U.S. Fair Housing Act, Title VII of the Civil Right Act of 1968, which strives to ensure equal housing opportunity for all and prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and family status. In 2012, HUD expanded its housing programs to all eligible persons, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Realtors believe it is important to commemorate the Fair Housing Act especially this year. Along with other fair housing advocates and civil rights groups, Realtors are troubled by recent news of HUD's plans to remove anti-discrimination language from its current mission statement.
"We believe that fair housing for all should remain a core part of HUD's mission," says National Association of Realtors president Elizabeth Mendenhall in a statement. "The Fair Housing Act provides that HUD will enforce the Act and administer its programs and activities in a manner that affirmatively furthers fair housing."
Mendenhall notes when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act into law, he said the Fair Housing Act "for all - all human beings who live in this country - is now a part of the American way of life."
Under the law and in accordance with the NAR Realtor Code of Ethics, Realtors cannot deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. A request from the home seller or landlord to act in a discriminatory manner in a sale, lease or rental cannot legally be fulfilled by the real estate professional.
Home sellers or landlords may not discriminate in the sale, rental and financing of property on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. They cannot establish discriminatory terms or conditions in a purchase or rental; deny that housing is available; or advertise that a property is available only to persons of a certain race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
Home seekers have the right to expect housing will be available to them and in a price range without discrimination or other limitations based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, including equal professional services, the opportunity to consider a broad range of housing choices, with no discriminatory limitations on communities, location, terms of sale, rental, financing, appraisal, or insurance of a dwelling.
"Realtors have been at the forefront of advancing fair housing for all. This year's Fair Housing theme is 'Fair Housing Makes US Stronger.' Fair housing is not just a list of regulations. As stewards of the American dream of homeownership, Realtors are for a free, open market that embraces equal opportunity," says Bill Moody, president of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. "Our country is a melting pot of all cultures, religions, sexual orientations and disabilities and this is what makes us who we are. Fair housing makes our country stronger."
Noting fair housing is critical to a Realtor's critical ability to serve their clients and the community, Mendenhall adds, "We look forward to continuing our work with HUD to advocate for inclusive sustainable communities free from discrimination."
If you suspect discrimination, Californians may file a complaint by contacting the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing at https://www.dfeh.ca.gov/.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.