April is Fair Housing anniversary
April marks the 39th Anniversary of the signing of the Federal Fair Housing Act. It’s also when the US of A celebrates Fair Housing Month. Nationally during the month, President Bush will emphasize the nation’s commitment to increase housing opportunities for everyone.
In Spokane County, Spokane Association of REALTOR® President James Young, Tomlinson Black North, will take the lead in honoring the law that makes it illegal to discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, or familial status. This covers the sale of rental housing or residential lots, in advertising the sale or rental of housing; financing housing; real estate brokerage services, and in the appraisal of housing.
An awareness program that runs through the month of April is sponsored by the City and County of Spokane’s Community Development Offices and the Spokane Association of REALTORS®.
What’s going on in Spokane to honor the concept of equal housing? Lots.
Fair Housing Chair Glenn Carey, Woodard Properties, and his committee have planned a series of promotions during April to call attention to REALTOR® efforts to foster equal housing for all. These efforts will be a reminder of the importance of the Federal Fair Housing Law and the Code for Equal Opportunity
Kids in Spokane get involved, too. The annual Third Grade Poster and Essay contest is being held again this year. The winners will be the best four efforts of Spokane Third Graders who combine the home in their pictorial version of their home along with how much they love their homes. Kids from schools in the Spokane area also write a short essay. The winners are the third graders who have done the best job of telling how much they love their homes.
Way back in 1968, Congress made it clear that no discrimination in housing based on race, color, or national origin is the law of the land.
Article 10 of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics states: The REALTOR® shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex handicap, familial status or national origin.
The SAR received national attention for its Fair Housing promotional progress a few years ago when HUD recognized the effort as “Simply the Best” with Spokane competing in their Best Practices national competition. The Spokane entry was chosen as a model for other Association on HUD’s web page.