Realtors recognize April as Fair Housing Month and reaffirm their commitment to fair housing for all and their adherence to the U.S. Fair Housing Act. Passed more than 50 years ago, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing units based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
"It is our duty as Realtors to maintain equal opportunity in the housing market. Fair housing is an essential part of everything Realtors do," said Joanne Fraser, president of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. "As Realtors, we must remain committed to breaking down biases, holding ourselves accountable, and upholding the law."
Realtor associations at the national, state and local level have created tools and programs focused on fair housing. In addition to the creation of the Fair Housing Action Plan (ACT), the National Association of Realtors has launched fairhaven.realtor, an innovative online simulation training, where Realtors work against the clock to sell homes in the fictional town of Fairhaven, while confronting discrimination in the homebuying process. The training provides customized feedback that agents can apply to daily business interactions. NAR also has provided members and association staff with an implicit bias video that illustrates how the human brain's automatic, association of stereotypes with particular groups can cause people to treat those who are different from them unfairly.
The California Association of Realtors has introduced a Fair Housing and Equity legislative package. The bills require California real estate professionals to take implicit bias training, remove discriminatory language in property records, prohibit discrimination against people living in affordable housing, and call for the repeal Article 34 of the California Constitution.
At the local level, the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors has included a section on fair housing and implicit bias in this year's SILVAR Leadership Academy. The program is part of a NAR Diversity & Inclusion Grant the association received this year.
"Home sellers, home seekers and real estate professionals all have rights and responsibilities under the law. Real estate professionals are prohibited by law from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability," stressed Fraser. "A request from the home seller or landlord to act in a discriminatory manner in the sale, lease or rental of a property cannot legally be fulfilled by a real estate professional."
Home sellers and landlords under the law cannot discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. They cannot instruct the licensed broker or their agent to convey any limitations in a sale or rental. They cannot establish discriminatory terms or conditions in the purchase or rental; deny that housing is available or advertise that the 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 that housing will be available to them without discrimination or other limitations based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. This includes the right to expect:
If you suspect discrimination, you may file a complaint with the nearest HUD office or by contacting them at http://www.hud.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.