The Houston Association of REALTORSĀ® responded to heightened racial tensions felt across the country this summer by convening a Diversity & Inclusion Task Force, which is producing compelling programming to raise awareness among its membership. The efforts are supported in part by the REALTORĀ® Party.
Illinois REALTORSĀ® Localize and Diversify National Program
The Illinois REALTORSĀ® have taken the concept of NARās Federal Political Coordinator (FPC) program and run with it, building FPC support teams of 150 REALTORSĀ® to cover the 18 House Representatives and two Senators of the state legislature. Each FPC serves as the human face on the issues that affect the real estate industry and let Members of Congress know that the choices they make affect the lives of their constituents back home.
Hilton Head Area and Beaufort Jasper County REALTORSĀ® Lead Winning School Funding Campaign
In Beaufort County, S.C., major construction, renovations, and updates were urgently needed throughout the school district, which had not had a successful bond referendum ā its only source of such funding ā in more than a decade. When a promising referendum made it to the ballot this year, the areaās REALTORSĀ® stepped up to make sure it would pass.
Despite Hurricanes and a Pandemic, the Acadiana REALTORSĀ® Dive into Legislative Advocacy
Earlier this year, the REALTORĀ® Association of Acadiana found itself dropped into the deep end of urgent legislative advocacy. Taking advantage of the Land Use Initiative and Advocacy Everywhere programs, the 1,600-member association was able to combat threats to both short-term rentals and property tax rates, achieving positive results for homeowners in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Greater Greenville Association of REALTORSĀ® Uses the REALTORĀ® Partyās Growth Polling Program to Assess Voter Attitudes Toward Infrastructure and Housing Development
To gauge voter sentiment on a range of growth-related issues, the Greater Greenville Association of REALTORSĀ® tapped into the polling service the REALTORĀ® Party provides for just that purpose.Ā The results ā some expected, some surprising ā are helping the association to help Greenville County as it shapes policy and sends important legislation to the polls.Ā
Associations Around the Country Tap into Training that Helps Members Recognize and Correct a Significant Obstacle to Fair Housing: Implicit Bias
Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORSĀ® took advantage of a compelling exhibition at the local history museum to educate members about their cityās role in the practice of redlining, and the negative impacts still felt nationwide because of historic housing discrimination. At a private reception, REALTORSĀ® toured the galleries, spoke with the curator, faced some hard truths, and resolved to learn more.
Columbia Board of REALTORSĀ® Helps City and County Modernize Revenue Stream by Adopting Local Internet Use Tax
Without a local internet use tax in place on sales from out-of-state vendors, the City of Columbia, Missouri and its surrounding county had been missing out on tens of millions of revenue dollars from the online shopping trend.Ā To help the municipality capture this income for essential services, the Columbia Board of REALTORSĀ® used an Issues Mobilization Grant from the REALTORĀ® Party to convince voters to adopt the tax.Ā Ā
Sacramento Association of REALTORSĀ® Equips Local Aspiring Homeowners with Resources and Know-How to Begin Homebuying Journey
The Sacramento Association of REALTORSĀ® established a new Fair Housing Month tradition this year: a first-time homebuyers expo featuring information sessions, panels of new homeowners, and vendors drawn from its preferred-partner membership -- even Home Depot-sponsored activities to occupy the children! It was funded in part by a Housing Opportunity Grant from the REALTORĀ® Party.
Carroll County Association of REALTORSĀ® and Maryland REALTORSĀ® Successfully Oppose a Sharp Increase in Real Estate Recordation Tax
The Board of Commissioners in Carroll County, Maryland had proposed an increase in the Recordation Tax that would add $1,100 to the closing costs of the median home sale. The Carroll County Association couldnāt let that dampen the prospects of aspiring homebuyers who were already facing a difficult market, so with help from the Maryland REALTORSĀ® and the REALTORĀ® Party, they convinced the board to take the rate hike out of the budget.
Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of REALTORSĀ® Launches Campaign to Educate Members and Public About Homelessness
Leveraging two Housing Opportunity Grants from the REALTORĀ® Party, OKCMAR took action on the issue its members identified as priority #1: homelessness. Its campaign has been so compelling that the City of Oklahoma City is taking a page from the REALTORSĀ®ā initiative, with an eye on policy solutions.