For decades, Realtors have supported a free, open market that embraces fairness and equal opportunity for all buyers and sellers. Greater Chattanooga Realtors strongly support the Fair Housing Act, legislation first passed in 1968 that now prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status and national origin.
This year, GCR is joining fellow Realtors across the country to embark on a yearlong commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act to raise awareness for fair housing issues. Our focus for 2018 will be on three key elements: acknowledging the organization’s changing role in the fight for fair housing, understanding how we as a nation are constantly improving our commitment to fair housing and ways Realtors strive to lead efforts to address fair housing policy issues.
While April is the month we make a special effort to highlight fair housing, it’s an ongoing effort for our members. Our Diversity Inclusion Committee is a standing committee. Their purpose is to promote equal opportunity and cultural diversity within the real estate industry and to foster an association culture that embraces and celebrates our differences.
On April 3, we offered “At Home With Diversity,” a course that teaches participants to work successfully with and within a rapidly changing multicultural market. In addition, the course teaches about diversity sensitivity, how to apply fair housing laws in the real estate business and ways to develop professional guidelines for working with people in an increasingly multicultural real estate market.
As your “Voice of Real Estate in Greater Chattanooga,” we continue to recognize the significance of the Fair Housing Act and reconfirm our commitment to upholding fair housing law, as well as our commitment to offering equal professional service to all in their search for a home or property. Realtors work hard to build strong communities and neighborhoods where all people can live and prosper.
Over the years, NAR has developed educational information on diversity and fair housing laws, programs and resources that have helped educate Realtors across the country on the importance of inclusive housing practices and the promotion of diverse homeownership.
During the yearlong commemoration, NAR will further examine community fair housing issues and advocate for changes to the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Fair housing protects the American Dream of homeownership for all citizens, and GCR is looking forward to commemorating the anniversary and supporting the development of healthy and diverse communities.
Greater Chattanooga Realtors is “The Voice of Real Estate in Greater Chattanooga.” A regional organization with more than 2,000 members, GCR is one of some 1,300 local boards and associations of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. GCR services Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia.
Information: www.gcar.net; 423 698-8001