Landsman celebrates her award from the Fairfax County Human Rights Commission with members at the April 3 event. 

NVAR Team Member Awarded for Fair Housing Contributions

JILL LANDSMAN, NVAR community and outreach strategist, is dedicated to achieving fair housing for the success of the community and its residents. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to fair housing in Fairfax County, Landsman received an award from the Fairfax County Human Rights Commission on April 3 at the 2019 Fair Housing Month Training and Luncheon, which she helps plan each year.

“I have no doubt that Jill will continue on this path for many years to come,” Margot Squires, fair housing coordinator for the Fairfax County Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs, said. “This is a well-deserved honor for Jill, and I am particularly delighted that she received this recognition for her passion and commitment to fair housing.”

For the past 10 years, Landsman has been active on the Fair Housing Task Force, which meets to discuss fair housing cases and barriers to achieving housing, including affordability. As part of her commitment to end housing discrimination, she has written several related articles and helps plan the Fair Housing Luncheon and Training Program each year.

“As I said when I was given the award, it is a shared award; I never did anything alone. I was just dedicated to making the Fair Housing Luncheon a success,” Landsman said.

In addition, Landsman has helped support the mission of the task force by applying for grants and drawing support of the NVAR Cares Committee, which she serves on as the NVAR staff liaison.

“Jill’s passion to enforce fair housing is contagious,” said Lorraine Arora, 2018 NVAR president of the board and co- chair of the Fair Housing Task Force. “Her dedication has encouraged us to strive to accomplish better results in the fair housing arena.”

This award reflects Landsman’s varied roles within the community by engaging nonprofits, government agencies and Realtors ® to ensure fair housing for all who live there. Dipti Pidikiti-Smith, co-chair of the Fair Housing Task Force and deputy director of advocacy for Legal Services of Northern Virginia, said Jill helps to create equal opportunity by encouraging “collaboration between key stakeholders, including the real estate industry and fair housing providers.” 

The future of fair and affordable housing in Northern Virginia will take continued education and teamwork within the community, Landsman said.

“When communities are diverse, everyone wins,” Landsman said.