President's Message: Marking Fair Housing Month with a look at its keys
April is recognized as Fair Housing Month by the National Association of Realtors to commemorate the passing of the Fair Housing Act in 1968. This legislation prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. It is an important reminder that everyone deserves equal access to housing and real estate services.
For new home buyers and homeowners, Fair Housing Month is a time to educate oneself on fair housing laws and regulations to ensure that they are not subject to discriminatory practices when purchasing or selling a home. This includes being aware of any discriminatory practices that could occur during the home buying process, such as steering, blockbusting or redlining.
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Steering refers to the act of directing buyers or renters to or away from a particular neighborhood based on their race or other protected characteristic. Blockbusting is when a real estate agent tries to convince a homeowner to sell their home by suggesting that their neighborhood is declining or that certain groups of people (such as minorities or immigrants) are moving in. Redlining involves the practice of denying loans or insurance to people based on their race or the neighborhood they live in.
By being aware of these practices, new home buyers and homeowners can ensure that they are not being taken advantage of by unscrupulous Realtors or lenders. They can also report any instances of discrimination to the appropriate authorities, such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
In addition to being aware of discriminatory practices, new home buyers and homeowners can also take steps to promote fair housing themselves. This can include supporting organizations that promote fair housing and advocating for fair housing policies at the local and national level.
For Realtors, Fair Housing Month is a time to reflect on their own practices and ensure that they are following fair housing laws and regulations. This includes being aware of the protected classes under the Fair Housing Act and ensuring that they are not engaging in any discriminatory practices.
Realtors can also take steps to promote fair housing by participating in fair housing training and education programs. These programs can help agents better understand fair housing laws and regulations, as well as provide them with tools to identify and address discriminatory practices.
Overall, Fair Housing Month serves as an important reminder that everyone deserves equal access to housing and real estate services. By being aware of fair housing laws and regulations, new home buyers, homeowners and Realtors can ensure that they are not engaging in or being subjected to discriminatory practices. They can also take steps to promote fair housing in their own communities and support organizations that promote fair housing at the local and national level.
Kyle Oberlin is the 2023 president of Stark Trumbull Area Realtors.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: President's Message: Marking Fair Housing Month with a look at its keys
