Honoring Fair Housing Month

Each April, we honor National Fair Housing Month in an effort to continue to work toward ending discrimination in housing across the country.

The act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968 and prohibits discrimination against homebuyers or renters due to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability. Realtors® have a vital hand in ensuring fair housing for all.

“You have a right to buy or rent your dream home or apartment free from discrimination,” said PA Human Relations Commission Director of Enforcement Jinada Rochelle. “Fair housing isn’t a choice, it’s a right.”

As you know, Realtors® have strict requirements to follow through the National Association of Realtors® Code of Ethics. Article 10 of the Code of Ethics provides that “Realtors® shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity. Realtors® shall not be parties to any plan or agreement to discriminate against a person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Realtors® have the opportunity to make a difference in ending discrimination in housing, and that includes not steering or leading certain ethnicities to or away from certain neighborhoods, based on demographics.

“Housing affects so many aspects of your lives. It’s important that we take steps to prevent and correct unfair housing practices,” added Rochelle.

It has been found again and again that homeownership is a part of the American dream. As a Realtor®, continue to do your part helping everyone achieve that dream.