Equal Professional Service When Seeking A Home is the Cornerstone of Fair Housing
“It is a simple fact that zip codes matter,” said Melvina Ford, executive director of the Equal Rights Center in her welcome comments at the training session offered at the Fairfax County Office of Human Rights & Equity Programs Fair Housing luncheon.
She noted that April 2014 marks the 46th anniversary of passage of the Fair Housing Act. “This landmark piece of legislation ensures the right of any individual to choose where they live, free from unlawful discriminatory treatment,” Ford continued. “It challenges the patterns of segregation and poverty that so often result from housing discrimination, and it highlights our responsibility —as both advocates and professionals that deal in housing issues every day—to ensure that we are fostering diverse, healthy and inclusive communities.”
Keynote Speaker Bryan Greene, general deputy assistant secretary, fair housing & equal opportunity of HUD explained the proposed rule, Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing. This will provide data to ensure that taxpayer funds for housing projects be spent only in neighborhoods that comply with fair housing laws, he explained.
“With all housing transactions, Realtors® strive to promote inclusion, diversity and fairness,” said Jill Landsman, NVAR vice president, communications. She pointed out that Realtors® comply with fair housing laws year-round and that the National Association of Realtors® supports equal opportunity and anti-discriminatory practices, which are required in the Realtor® Code of Ethics.
To conclude the luncheon, OHREP’s Nicole Rawlings announced the results of the 2014 Fairfax County Fair Housing art and writing competition. NVAR provided the prizes to the student winners.
The luncheon, co-sponsored by NVAR, offered a morning training session about accessibility requirements for disabled residents. Hosted at the Waterford in Fairfax, this year’s event attracted 175 attendees. Government employees, nonprofit staff and NVAR members comprised the audience.
