"Economic inequality is one of the most significant issues facing cities and entire nations today. But a mounting body of research suggests that housing inequality may well be the biggest contributor to our economic divides."

– Richard Florida, wwwcitylab.com 

CITING A RECENT ONLINE ARTICLE at the Regional Fair Housing symposium on April 20, 2018, keynote speaker Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) quoted the above statement. He added, “Physical things are not important. But a house is an extension of who you are as a person; it is an extension of your personality.” The case for the value of a stable home cannot be quantified, he explained, as it has emotional and psychological impacts.

Kaine spoke at the jointly hosted event, spearheaded by the Fairfax County Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs along with platinum sponsor: The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors®, gold sponsor: the Prince William County Human Rights Commission, and silver sponsor: Legal Services of Northern Virginia.

Kaine cut his teeth as a rookie lawyer in a Richmond law firm on a housing discrimination case for his first client, Lorraine. Just as he was, Lorraine was new in town. Both had just conducted contrasting home searches.

“Lorraine inquired about a listing she liked, and was invited to view the property,” Kaine said. “When she arrived, she was informed that the place was ‘already taken.’ Suspicious, she asked her colleague to ask about availability, and he was invited to come the next day. With their testimony, I drafted the complaint.” Lorraine was denied because of the color of her skin, he recalled.

After winning Lorraine’s case, Kaine dedicated 17 years to trying comparable discrimination cases. He explained that there is work still ahead: “We need to think of new and creative solutions to housing policies.”

Congressman Gerry Connolly (D- VA) pointed out that “1968 was the most indelibly imprinted year. It started with such hope: It was the end of the war; we elected a new president who would unify the country.

“Then we saw Dr. Martin Luther King killed in April; then, Bobby Kennedy in June. The one bright spot was the Fair Housing Act. We have come a long way, but the fight ain’t over yet. Last year, there were 2 million racial fair housing complaints. Even in tough times, battles can be won,” he said.

NVAR Chairman of the Board Lorraine Arora reflected on her struggles with civil rights in India and her reactions to hearing about the U.S. Civil Rights Movement on her family’s radio. She said, “There [was] a lot of discrimination, and I wanted to give back. I decided to become a Realtor®. Every person needs a home. It gives you stability whether you rent or own. Today is a momentous day [honoring the Fair Housing Act]. We have a lot of great people to thank for it. We have a lot of work to do. I ask that you continue to work for equality. Treat everyone the same: with dignity. Let us work together to narrow the gap and make the American dream a reality.”

Dr. Gregory Squires, professor at the George Washington University moderated a panel comprised of Fred Underwood, of the National Association of Realtors®; Michael Allen, of Relman, Dane & Colfax; and Lisa Rice, president of the National Fair Housing Alliance.

They debated issues about the compliance of the Fair Housing Act and its evolving protected classes. Panelists discussed their views of fair housing’s next frontier. They agreed on two points:

•    Housing inequality has been a long- standing driver of wealth inequality among renters and buyers at all price points.

•    Housing plays an instrumental role in determining who will be the next generations’ winners or losers.

In addition to the keynote address and panel discussion, the program attracted 200+ attendees for fair housing education presented by attorneys from Legal Services of Northern Virginia.

The year 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act. Far more than a celebration, the ongoing commemoration will move real estate practitioners closer to a nation where fair housing and opportunity are the norm in communities of every ilk: rich or poor, large or small, urban or rural. Realtors® have a clear role in making that happen.

For more information, visit: www.fairhousing.realtor.

(L to R) Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), NVAR CEO Ryan Conrad, NVAR Past Chair Mary Bayat, Fairfax County Human Rights Specialist Lena Albibi, Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), NVAR Chairman Lorraine Arora, NVAR Board member Tracy Comstock, NVAR member Mayra Pineda and NVAR member Genie Nguyen participated in the Regional Fair Housing 50th Anniversary event.

At the end of the Fair Housing luncheon, the Fairfax County School System Fair Housing contest winners were announced. (L to R) Along with these student winners pictured here are NVAR VP Communications Jill Landsman; NVAR Past Chair Mary Bayat; Immediate Past Chairman Bob Adamson; Past Virginia Realtors® President Mary Dykstra; art winner Christina Choi from Centreville High School; literary winner Kaycee Hubbard from Chantilly High School; Fair Housing Task Force Co-Chair and Past NVAR Chairman Susan Mekenney; Past VR President and Past NVAR Chairman Trish Szego; NVAR CEO Ryan Conrad; 2018 NVAR Chairman Lorraine Arora; and NVAR member Mayra Pineda.