In the 15 months since NAR first implemented our Fair Housing ACT! plan, we’ve refocused our attention on the issues that matter most, reimagined REALTORS®’ role at the center of this fight, and redesigned the tools that exist to help NAR members combat bias and discrimination.
As we take on this immense but worthwhile mission, I have asked all NAR leaders to commit to completing a new initiative we’re calling the “Fair Housing Challenge.” These three key steps will ensure all of the excellent new resources NAR has developed are being fully utilized in our shared pursuit of a free and fair U.S. real estate industry.
The first step is the completion of NAR’s new, interactive training platform, Fairhaven, which places REALTORS® in realistic scenarios where they must confront bias and discrimination while closing four real estate transactions and experiencing discrimination from the client’s point of view.
The second is engagement on NAR’s implicit bias training video. The video, which NAR unveiled last summer, is based on the latest research on unconscious bias. It illustrates how the human brain’s automatic association of stereotypes with people of different identities can cause us to treat others unfairly, often without our intention or awareness.
The third and final step in the Fair Housing Challenge is completion of the “At Home with Diversity” certification, a day-long course designed to ensure REALTORS® have the tools to expand their business by engaging with clients of all backgrounds.
This month is an opportunity to remember REALTORS®’ critical role in the fight for fair housing and all the work that remains ahead of us. And, as the largest trade association in the world, NAR will continue to use our powerful voice to expand property ownership and build more inclusive communities throughout our nation.
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