Advancing Fair Housing: REALTORS®’ Commitment to Equality and Accountability
If recent events have taught us anything, it’s this: we have more work to do. Racial injustice is deeply rooted in history and is apparent in housing discrimination, even today. Discrimination, in all its forms, still casts a long shadow in this country, and too many are being denied the opportunities all Americans deserve. Every year, REALTORS® set aside April as Fair Housing Month to draw awareness for the need of fair and equal housing.
The landmark Fair Housing Act of 1968 outlawed discrimination against people looking to buy or rent a home based on their race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin—and the Supreme Court has ruled more recently that illegal housing discrimination can occur even without intent. REALTORS® recognize the significance of the Fair Housing Act and reconfirm their commitment to upholding fair housing law as well as their commitment to offering equal professional service to all in their search for real property.
REALTORS’® commitment to the diverse communities we serve starts with our Code of Ethics. REALTORS® have also sworn to uphold a strict Code of Ethics – they must treat all clients equally, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Our code sets a higher standard for fairness in housing than any federal law, it’s backed by a culture of member accountability, and it extends to our work in legislative matters, where we continue to advocate for meaningful change. REALTORS® also initiated their own “Fair Housing Action Plan”, abbreviated ‘ACT,’ which 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.
Upcoming Fair Housing Classes
Registrations open 1 month before class dates.
- New Brokers will need to complete a 6-hour class for your first renewal.
- If you haven’t completed the 6-hour Fair Housing Course, you must complete that first and then will take 3-hour course for every renewal after.
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APR
Fair Housing-Subsequential Renewal
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SEP
Fair Housing-Subsequential Renewal
If you experience or witness discrimination in real estate, we urge you to report it: you can file a complaint by visiting www.hud.gov/fairhousing.
At SCCAR we believe fairness is worth fighting for and we won’t stop until the fight is won, because that’s who we are.
Fairhaven
In 2020, the National Association of REALTORS® launched Fairhaven.Realtor. Fairhaven is an innovative online simulation training where agents work against the clock to sell homes in the fictional town of Fairhaven, while confronting discrimination in the home buying process. During the training, learners also walk in the shoes of a home buyer facing discrimination. The training provides customized feedback that learners can apply to daily business interactions.
Long Island Divided
“Long Island Divided” delves into the investigation of how real estate agents treated undercover clients on Long Island, uncovering systemic discriminatory practices within the real estate industry. Through undercover operations, the investigation revealed instances of unequal treatment based on factors such as race, ethnicity, and familial status. The findings underscored the persistence of housing discrimination and highlighted the need for greater awareness, accountability, and reform within the real estate profession.
Additional Resources
If you experience or witness discrimination in real estate, we urge you to report it: you can file a complaint by visiting www.hud.gov/fairhousing.
