Jim Litten: Fair housing is an issue that all of us must tackle

It’s difficult to believe that the Fair Housing Act to end housing discrimination and segregation was codified only 52 years ago. Passed in 1968, it prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of houses based on race, religion, gender or national origin.

Homeownership is one of the most valuable opportunities to build wealth, but that opportunity is dependent on access and affordability. Everyone must have equal access to affordable housing and financing in order to participate in the American dream of homeownership.

As business leaders, we start each day asking what our customers and industry need from us and what we can give back. Today I ask, “What does fair housing need from us?” and contemplate the practice and enforcement of fair housing in real estate and the implicit commitments we’ve made.

Although the Fair Housing Act applies to all housing providers, real estate agents are additionally beholden to a code of ethics that—among other things—ensures no one is deprived of our services because of their protected characteristics. Indeed, Realtors are licensed and required to complete ethics courses throughout their careers. And in addition to fair housing law, we are held accountable by the licensing board for ethics complaints and violations of the codes.

Fair housing, in practice, is in every part of our work—with whom we work, how we advertise, the properties we show, negotiating sales, advising on pricing, the questions we ask, the forms we use, the services we provide, and every word we say.

It seems simple enough, but segregation and unfair housing practices are still visible today. For instance, a pre-COVID annual National Association of Real Estate Brokers report, “2019 State of Housing in Black America,” found the homeownership rate for Black households was lower than it’s been since 1968, when the Fair Housing Act was passed. The gap between Black and non-Hispanic white homeownership was likewise wider in 2019 than it’s been since 1934. We are not alone in our industry in asking why and looking for solutions.

Real estate brokers are, by nature, community-oriented people programmed to overcome obstacles. Some changes we’re making at F.C. Tucker include increased and ongoing conversations, education, and awareness about the unique needs of protected classes.

We’re raising the profile of fair housing in our monthly market-watch reports, new agent training and business objectives.

We are closely following the tireless work done by the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana and other advocacy groups, as well as using our platform to educate consumers on their fair housing rights.

We’re working to improve buyers’ ability to find homes via accessibility features on our website, and making language services and assistance programs easier to find.

I ask all business leaders to join together in support of fair housing for all, while also encouraging central Indiana residents to report fair housing violations and discrimination to the Indiana Civil Rights Commission or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

A law alone cannot guarantee civil rights. I believe fair housing, when carried as a duty and identity into the essential core of our business, can have a profound impact on the citizens the act was meant to protect—as well as the community at large.•

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Litten is president and CEO of F.C. Tucker Co.