This year, REALTORS® from Kalamazoo will join 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.
For decades, REALTORS® - members of the National Association of REALTORS® - have supported a free, open market that embraces fairness and equal opportunity for all buyers and sellers. Members of the Greater Kalamazoo Association of REALTORS® (GKAR) strongly support the Fair Housing Act, legislation first passed in 1968 and now prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, and national origin.
“REALTORS® continue to recognize the significance of this important 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,” said Robin Pompey, GKAR CEO.
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.
REALTORS® will focus on three key elements in 2018: 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.
“Fair housing protects the American Dream of homeownership for all citizens, and GKAR looks forward to commemorating the anniversary and supporting the development of healthy and diverse communities,” Pompey said.
Members of the public can look to GKAR’s Facebook page for information and resources throughout the year to see what REALTORS® are doing in the greater Kalamazoo community to advance fair housing, or visit www.FairHousing.realtor to learn about the national commemoration, find materials, and resources.
The Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan is also celebrating this achievement at their annual conference on May 4th, 2018. Contact Sharlee.Coffman@fhcswm.org for more information.
The Greater Kalamazoo Association of REALTORS® is a regional organization working toward the advancement of the real estate community in the greater Kalamazoo area. Its Members care deeply about the communities they serve, and each year they devote their time to charitable projects they believe will make a positive impact in the community.