Spokane REALTORS® open doors to equality

Spokane REALTORS® understand and appreciate the joy and pride of homeownership. This month, America celebrates the 40th anniversary of the passage of the 1968 U.S. Fair Housing Act. Did you know that President Lyndon Johnson urged congressional approval of the Fair Housing Act just one week after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? President Johnson felt it was an appropriate tribute to Dr. King’s legacy, and the Fair Housing Act was signed into law on April 11, 1968.

Across the nation, April is “Fair Housing Month.” As members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the Spokane REALTOR® community is firmly committed to America’s policy of fair housing, believing that equal opportunity in housing is essential for the continued strength and success of America’s housing market.

The REALTOR® approach to fair housing is to work with families, one at a time, to achieve their dreams of homeownership. By expanding marketing efforts to reach all populations, by valuing diversity, by becoming experts on housing programs, and by being active in our community, Spokane REALTORS® are opening doors that make the promise of the Fair Housing Act a reality.

As an organization, The National Association of REALTORS® works tirelessly to help create an environment where everyone can understand and exercise their rights to choose where they want to live.

Within the NAR Code of Ethics, REALTORS® take a positive approach to fair housing practices and aspire to follow the spirit as well as the letter of the law. NAR also expanded and implemented fair housing education requirements for its members. It educates REALTORS® on the importance of inclusive housing practices and the promotion of minority homeownership through a unique training program, At Home with Diversity®. Over the past decade, more than 25,000 REALTORS® nationwide have completed the course.

In 1988, NAR led industry efforts to support important amendments to the Fair Housing Act.

NAR is committed to:

• Supporting strong fair housing laws

• Improving access to affordable housing

• Increasing diversity in the real estate market

In addition, NAR’s Fair Housing Declaration is your REALTOR’S® pledge to work fairly with home buyers and sellers alike, to ensure equal access to homeownership opportunity. In Spokane, members of the Spokane Association of REALTORS® proudly display a notice of Equal Housing Opportunity (EHO) inside advertised open houses. The Fair Housing Declaration and the EHO flyer are both available upon request from your local REALTOR®.

For 40 years, the Fair Housing Act has protected the basic right of all Americans to pursue the dream of homeownership, free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status and national origin. Within the state of Washington, additional protected classes include marital status, sexual orientation and veteran/military status.

According to 2008 NAR president, Dick Gaylord, “Our 1.3 million members pledge to continue our work, educating home buyers and homeowners in our communities about fair housing laws. Eliminating discrimination and predatory lending practices will allow the dream of homeownership for all Americans.”

In 2007, NAR proudly contributed $1 million to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project. The memorial is due to open on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in 2009.

We encourage you to contact a Spokane REALTOR® today. They play a vital role in opening doors to equality through fair housing for all.

Information provided by National Association of REALTORS®