REALTORS® across the nation designate each April as Fair Housing Month, which serves as an annual reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality in housing and the importance of fostering inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to secure safe and suitable housing without facing discrimination.

It offers a time to reflect on the progress made, acknowledge the work that still needs to be done, and reaffirm our commitment to upholding fair housing rights for all.

In recognition of the effort, Alabama REALTORS® created a Fair Housing, Bias, and Diversity Grant Program to collaborate with our local associations in advancing fair housing, bias, and diversity training and awareness initiatives. Several of AAR’s Local Associations have utilized the grant this year to host fair housing events.

“We are proud of our local associations for leveraging the grant to promote our industry’s commitment to fair housing initiatives,” said 2024 Alabama REALTORS® President Senia Johnson. “Their dedication to advancing fair housing initiatives strengthens our communities and reaffirms our collective pride in fostering a more inclusive and just society.”

The Baldwin REALTORS® Diversity Committee recently hosted a Dine with Diversity breakfast, where speakers from various backgrounds shared insights about effectively serving all consumers.

In addition to the breakfast, a complimentary continuing education course, From There to Here: Fair Housing for All, was offered to attendees. Baldwin Diversity Committee Chair Evelyn Hall said the course provided an opportunity to shed light on implicit and unknown biases that REALTORS® may casually overlook.

Attendees discussed and explored ways they could contribute and acknowledged the contributions of the Diversity Committee, its chair, and Attainable Housing Committee Chair Winford McGaster.

Both chairs echoed the sentiment that these initiatives are imperative for giving REALTORS® the knowledge and tools to help create inclusive communities.

“We are forever grateful for our partnerships at all levels for placing grants at our disposal to enrich our knowledge of fair housing and DEI initiatives,” Hall said. “Through our partnerships, we want our association to know how committed we are to making sure fair housing is available for all.”

 McGaster said Baldwin’s event demonstrated just how far fair housing initiatives have come but noted that there is more work to be done.

“We must continue educating consumers, REALTORS®, banks and loan officers, and everyone who is involved in the homebuying process” McGaster said. “Attainable housing and fair housing go hand-in-hand, as the committee’s goal is to help potential homebuyers in Baldwin County achieve the American Dream of homeownership, no matter their background.”

The Covington Association of REALTORS® hosted a thought-provoking fair housing movie night on April 22, which featured a screening of The Banker, a movie about the courageous efforts of two men who fight for housing integration.

The motion picture is based on the true story of two of the first African-American bankers in the United States who effectively integrated previously segregated neighborhoods by selling and renting homes to Black families in the 1950s.

Members in attendance reflected on fair housing progress and engaged in discussions about further advancements that can be accomplished.

“I feel the message of this movie gives a very real perspective and truly shows how much fair housing has changed over the past few decades,” 2024 Covington President Chelsea Henderson said. “I’m so thankful for the changes that have been made since initial housing laws were put into place, and I look forward to seeing how much more our efforts can raise awareness of fair housing and equality.”

The St. Clair Association of REALTORS® utilized the grant in January to host a Fair Housing for All course along with an attendee breakfast.

The course, which was taught by AAR Associate Counsel Jayme Kizsla, equipped REALTORS® with in-depth knowledge of federal, state, and REALTOR® Fair Housing laws and guidelines, ensuring equitable treatment of all clients in real estate transactions.

It also provided members an opportunity to refresh their knowledge and reaffirm their commitments to best practices in fair housing.

The Wiregrass Board of REALTORS® took a creative approach in utilizing the grant and commissioned a local artist to paint a Fair Housing for All themed mural on the side of its building in Enterprise.

The unveiling event on April 18 allowed members who donated to the Wiregrass Boys and Girls Clubs to contribute to the mural’s completion by placing their handprints on the painting. The Equal Opportunity Committee coined the hashtag #fairhousingisinourhands to encourage members to demonstrate their individual commitment to fair housing.  

“The Wiregrass Board of REALTORS® are committed to diversity in housing and were excited for the opportunity to utilize the AAR Grant Program to portray that to our community through the commission of a mural,” 2024 Wiregrass President Erin Tullos said.

“Every time someone drives by our building now, they can see for themselves how their local REALTORS® support everyone in the community in their dream for homeownership. After all, this is #WhoWeR!”