Members Share Their Perspective On This Law

Real estate practitioners must always consider the significance of the Fair Housing Act  and its importance in promoting equality. The act was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on April 11, 1968.
This act codifies foundational principals and protections necessary for a truly equitable society. From dismantling redlining practices, to correcting exclusionary zoning laws, the Fair Housing Act has had major successes defeating discriminatory policies.
The work to uphold this law is ongoing, and compliance by Realtors® is not optional.

Members comment about Fair Housing Laws:

“As a Vietnamese immigrant and naturalized citizen, I truly feel that because of the fair housing law, I am able to be a homeowner and help other minorities and immigrants live the American dream of homeownership.
“Fair housing laws are only achieved through accountability. It first begins with ourselves and then working with other Realtors® when we see issues.”
Dinh Peter Nguyen,  The Reef Team
TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

“We have come such a long way in eliminating discrimination in housing, and the fair housing laws have been a significant factor in achieving equity. Unfortunately, however, we still haven’t eliminated discrimination, and fair housing laws are important to ensure that everyone is given a fair opportunity for the home of their dreams.
“Training agents, establishing policies and implementing systems to make sure that every client is treated the same is the best way to ensure that fair housing is achieved.
“As a young Realtor®, I had an opportunity for a high-end rental listing in an urban area. The home was upstairs from the landlord’s place of business, and he told me that he did not want any children living in the unit. I advised him that to exclude families with children would be a violation of fair housing laws and I could not comply with his request. I did not follow up with the landlord and, not unhappily, did not get the listing.”
Ann Yanagihara, JD,  Principal Broker
Hana Associates, LLC

“As a first generation immigrant, I am very cognizant of diversity. Often [violations stem] from lack of experience and not knowing better. I remember being taken aback when my sons' school principal told me that I spoke English very well. My response to her was ‘so do you!’ we ended up becoming friends, and she eventually learned a lot about me and dispelled a lot of the myths regarding where I originally came from.
“As a Realtor®, we are held to a higher standard no matter how subtle the discrimination is. In this political climate I am even more aware of the fear mongering that goes on and make every effort to educate and train my agents to handle discrimination even if it means walking away from a transaction. We have regular training classes and role play to be able to deal with any situation.”
Lorraine Arora,  Managing Broker
Weichert, Realtors®

                     Fair Housing Declaration                           

I agree to:

•    Provide equal professional service without regard to the race, color, religion, gender (sex), disability (handicap), familial status, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity of any prospective client, customer, or of the residents of any community.
•    Keep informed about fair housing law and practices, improving my clients' and customers' opportunities and my business.
•    Develop advertising that indicates that everyone is welcome and no one is excluded;, expanding my client's and customer's opportunities to see, buy, or lease property.
•    Inform my clients and customers about their rights and responsibilities under the fair housing laws by providing brochures and other information.
•    Document my efforts to provide professional service, which will assist me in becoming a more responsive and successful REALTOR®.
•    Refuse to tolerate non-compliance.
•    Learn about those who are different from me, and celebrate those differences.
•    Take a positive approach to fair housing practices and aspire to follow the spirit as well as the letter of the law.
•    Develop and implement fair housing practices for my firm to carry out the spirit of this declaration.
Print a copy of the REALTOR® Fair Housing Declaration and post it in your office and/or association.