Chattanooga Times Free Press

COMMEMORAT­ING THE 50TH ANNIVERSAR­Y OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT

- By Geoff Ramsey President, Greater Chattanoog­a Realtors

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. Greater Chattanoog­a Realtors 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.

This year, Greater Chattanoog­a Realtors join 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 offer “At Home With Diversity,” which is a course that educates participan­ts how 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. Non-members are welcome to register by calling the Associatio­n office at 423.698.8001.

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 RealtorsÒ 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. American Fair housing Dream for all protects citizens, of homeowners­hip the and Greater look forward Chattanoog­a to commemorat­ing Realtors 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, Greater Chattanoog­a Realtors® is one of some 1,300 local boards and associatio­ns of Realtors® nationwide that comprise the National Associatio­n of Realtors®. Greater Chattanoog­a Realtors® service Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee, and Catoosa, Dade, and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. For more informatio­n, visit www. gcar.net or call 423.698.8001.

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Geoff Ramsey

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