Major diversity groups launch `Stop Hate in Real Estate' initiative
Four major diversity organizations within the real estate industry have joined forces to launch Stop Hate in
Real Estate, a multipronged effort to allow real estate professionals the opportunity to stand for positive change in the face of increased division, discrimination and hatred currently seen across the nation. Leaders of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), National Association of Hispanic Real
Estate Professionals (NAHREP), and California Association of Realtors Womanup! participated in a press conference on
Sept. 26, to debut Stophateinrealestate. org and other facets of the initiative.
The four groups have nearly 75,000 combined members. Several families shared how ANTI-LGBTQ+ bills, laws and rhetoric forced them to flee their home states because they feared for the safety and future of their children.
Leaders of each of the four groups spoke of discrimination experienced by members of their respective communities and noted that a vocal minority has created divisiveness within the country fostering discrimination, and even outright hatred, against diverse sectors. By banding together, they view “an attack against one is an attack against all.”
“It is unfortunate that the hate, discrimination and vitriol that is evident today has forced us to create Stop Hate in Real Estate,” said Erin Morrison, president of the Alliance.
“We all believe that the overwhelming majority of real estate professionals are anti-hate and antidiscrimination. But their voices have been dwarfed by a vocal minority. I truly believe that real estate professionals, as leaders in our communities, can take a leadership role in this period of divisiveness to a close.”
AREAA CEO Hope Atuel said there have been dramatic increases in hate crimes against the AANHPI community since the pandemic. Now bills and a law in Florida aim to limit Chinese property ownership under the guise of national security. “Of course, we want to protect our nation’s security, but these bills and the Florida law prevent the entire AANHPI community from feeling safe, secure and welcome. We can’t allow more barriers to go up against AANHPI people on their journey to homeownership.”
Nuria Rivera,
2023 president of NAHREP, indicated the Hispanic community is the largest diverse demographic with about 65 million people; yet, its homeownership rate remains incredibly low at 49%. “There are a lot of reasons for this, including discrimination.”
Sara Sutachan, SVP and chief strategy officer with the California Association of Realtors, said Womanup! supports the journey of women to the top of their career.“we need
Stop Hate in Real Estate both to corral discrimination within our industry and to allow the real estate community to be an impetus for change in our nation. We cannot allow those who do not see women as equals be propped up and given positions of authority. Our industry is made up of more than 60% females, but their path to success is usually much harder than for their counterparts.”
Commenting on the initiative, Jim Hamilton, president of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors, said, “As Realtors, we all have the same goal, that of supporting individuals and families who want to achieve the American dream of homeownership, no matter what race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Realtor Code of Ethics expresses it plainly hate speech, harassing speech, slurs against individuals on the basis of these classifications will not be tolerated in our industry.”
Stophateinrealestate. org includes a pledge for real estate professionals to sign that affirms their resolve to stop hate. The initiative will include a variety of events and showcase how discrimination is impacting diverse homebuyers and sellers. Leaders of the four real estate diverse groups will meet regularly to help identify and work to rectify discriminatory activities.