The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) agreed Wednesday to partner with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on new initiatives to promote housing access for all Americans, including public service announcements.
Leaders of the two organizations – including NAR CEO Bob Goldberg, NAR President Vince Malta and HUD Secretary Ben Carson – met in Washington, DC. NAR leaders reiterated the organization’s commitment to advance fair housing protections. Just a few hours before the meeting, NAR leaders unanimously passed an action plan to ensure that REALTORS® across the country are doing everything possible to protect housing rights in America. The ACT plan emphasizes (A)ccountability, (C)ulture change and (T)raining.
Chicago REALTOR® and NAR Vice President of Association Affairs Mabél Guzmán was part of the process. Guzmán is a broker for @properties in Chicago. Also she is the Illinois REALTORS® State Legislative Contact for Sen. Iris Martinez of Chicago, an REALTORS® Political Action Committee Major Investor and a member of the President’s Circle.
“NAR has been active in our pursuit of innovative new policies and partnerships that will help us preserve the fundamental right of housing in America,” said Malta. “While we have long been a champion of the Fair Housing Act, recent incidents have underscored the progress our nation must still make. That’s why I am proud to announce that our association’s Leadership Team has voted today to approve an action that will directly ramp up and reinvigorate NAR’s fair housing commitment.”
Specifically, the nation’s largest trade association will take new actions to ensure members uphold the fair housing standards incorporated in NAR’s Code of Ethics; begin integrating fair housing into all conferences and engagements; and form partnerships with fair housing advocates to pursue shared goals around accountability and training, among countless other initiatives.