NAR partners with several multicultural real estate organizations to address common real estate issues and to encourage diversity in the leadership of our associations. Fair Housing is a core mission of all of our organizations and all joined together in activities to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. During the campaign, NAR highlighted activities at each organization and recognized the contributions of leaders from all groups in promoting and advocating for equal housing opportunity.
Many NAR members are also active in partner and allied organizations. It is important to get to know these groups on an organizational level and a personal basis. Increased familiarity will strengthen collaborations now and in the future.
- Visit the organization’s national website to determine if there is a local chapter serving your area. That national organization’s staff can assist you with making a local level connection.
- Involve your association’s leaders in establishing a relationship with leaders of the organizations’ local chapters. Volunteer leaders run most chapters; many have no full-time staff.
- Resources vary greatly among organizations’ local chapters. Many utilize sponsorships to conduct their programs. In addition to your local association’s resources, learn about NAR grants for fair housing activities that may support your collaboration.
- In addition to collaborating on joint activities, encourage your members to support the local chapters’.
AREAA
The Asian Real Estate Association of American (AREAA), founded in 2003, is dedicated to promoting sustainable homeownership opportunities in Asian American communities.
LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance (The Alliance)
The LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance (The Alliance) was founded in 2020. Influential real estate professionals and allies joined with other members of the LGBTQ+ community to create a new voice in real estate.
NAHREP
The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) was founded in 1999 to advance sustainable Hispanic homeownership.
NAREB
The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) was founded in 1947 by African American real estate brokers, many of whom were not allowed at that time to be REALTORS®. The mission of NAREB is “Democracy in Housing”, a commitment to equal housing opportunities.
WCR
The Women’s Council of REALTORS® was formed in 1938 and has greatly contributed to gender equality in real estate, for many years mentoring leadership.
Working Together
Many if not most of the members of NAREB, NAHREP and AREAA are REALTORS®, however, the organizations operate independently. In 2003, AREAA, NAHREP, NAREB and NAR, signed a memorandum with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to work together to promote fair housing and reduce the disparity in homeownership rates among different racial and ethnic groups in America.
The HOPE Awards was an early program the organizations jointly established to promote increasing homeownership among different racial and ethnic groups. Working together to expand this partnership and commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act continues this commitment to fair housing.
As organizations like the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (www.naglrep.com) form to address equal housing opportunities based on sexual orientation and gender identity, NAR will work to identify opportunities to work together to advocate to expand protections under the Fair Housing Act and to better educate members regarding their obligations to provide equal professional service.