At Greater Chattanooga Realtors, our commitment to fair housing is not just a once-a-year acknowledgment – it’s a dedication we uphold every day. As we reflect on the importance of equitable access to housing, Fair Housing Month serves as a powerful reminder of the progress we’ve made and the work that still lies ahead. From supporting inclusive communities to educating our members, we remain steadfast in our advocacy for housing opportunities for all.
This year, we’re marking Fair Housing Month with a series of impactful events and resources.
APRIL 1
Overcoming barriers to fair housing
This program armed local real estate professionals with strategies to counter stereotypical thinking, ensuring fair service to all clients. Participants assessed their perceptions of diverse groups, uncovered unconscious biases and developed skills for engaging effectively with all clientele.
APRIL 11
At home with diversity
Greater Chattanooga Realtors
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
This certification course will provide Realtors with the knowledge and skills to effectively serve diverse clients and navigate today’s multicultural marketplace.
APRIL 17
A place for ALL to call home
Bessie Smith Cultural Center
8:30-10:15 a.m.
Realtors are invited to register for this member breakfast as we celebrate Fair Housing Month with the city of Chattanooga’s housing team – Chief Housing Officer Nicole Heyman, Director of Housing Policy Megan Miles and Director of Housing Finance Hanneke van Deursen. These three will explore Chattanooga’s housing landscape and share the steps the city is taking to expand housing access for all Chattanoogans.
Topics will include Chattanooga’s affordable housing needs, recent reforms removing development barriers and an overview of the city’s expanded housing toolkit (which includes down payment assistance, the Affordable Housing PILOT Program, new zoning codes, the Voluntary Incentives Program, Invest Chattanooga and the Land Bank Property Donation Program).
APRIL 21
Creating housing opportunities
Greater Chattanooga Realtors
9 a.m.-noon
Attendees will learn strategies that address housing affordability issues. Participants will leave prepared to take the next steps toward implementing equitable and sustainable housing strategies in the Chattanooga community. The class will also explore Federal Fair Housing Laws, including protected classes, recent issues and the distinction between explicit and implicit bias.
APRIL 22
Serving special needs clients
Greater Chattanooga Realtors
9 a.m.-noon
An estimated 1.3 billion people – 16% of the global population – experience a significant disability today. This course for real estate professionals teaches the proper standards of practice when serving clients with disabilities.
Fair Housing Month reminds us that equal opportunity in housing is not just a legal obligation but also a moral responsibility. As Realtors, we play a pivotal role in ensuring that all individuals – regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity – have access to safe and affordable housing. Together, we can continue to build a future where everyone has the opportunity to find a place to call home.
For more resources and information on Fair Housing Month events, visit our website at www.gcar.net. #ThatsWhoWeR
Founded in 1912, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is the voice for real estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with more than 2,700 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors serves Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. The association is one of approximately 1,100 local associations and boards of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors owns and operates a multiple listing service that is one of approximately 600 MLSs in the country and that services more than 3,000 users. Local association membership is comprised of Realtors who are servicing the Greater Chattanooga area and specializing in a variety of disciplines, including appraisal, commercial, industrial, land, multi-family, property management and residential. Working alongside Realtors are our affiliate members, who represent related industries in sympathy with the objectives of the association. Our affiliate members include mortgage lenders, home inspectors, title and closing services, pest inspection and control, and insurance.