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WASHINGTON (March 18, 2021) – The National Association of Realtors® kicked off a six-part webinar series this week highlighting revitalization efforts in communities impacted by high numbers of vacant, abandoned and deteriorated – or VAD – properties. The opening session, which is now available for online viewing, outlined how historical land ownership policies have exacerbated this problem in neighborhoods across America. With COVID-19 disproportionately impacting urban and low-income communities, NAR has intensified its focus on developing new, strategic approaches to revitalization in places where VAD properties remain prevalent.
"Collaboration is a key part of addressing widespread vacancy and our country's complicated past of racism and discrimination," said Dr. Akilah Watkins, CEO and President at the Center for Community Progress, which is partnering with NAR on the webinar series. "Our success hinges on our ability to work together from community to national stages. We are thankful to the National Association of Realtors® for both realizing the need for and committing to the conversations that are a part of [this] series. When we partner, communities benefit."
The full series, Policy, Practice, Process: Transforming Neighborhoods through Equitable Revitalization, will equip Realtors® to collaborate with policymakers to address VAD property issues in their communities. Each session will incorporate actionable items for Realtors® and their local government partners to consider.
"Vacancy and abandonment remediation allow us to emphasize that a better future begins with safe, stable communities where properties retain their value and help families build long-term, generational wealth," said NAR President Charlie Oppler. "This series is another illustration of NAR's commitment to ensuring Realtors® lead the conversations that address some of the most complex problems in our neighborhoods."
More information about the series, along with scheduling and logistical details for the remaining five seminars, can be found at realtorparty.realtor.
The National Association of Realtors® is America's largest trade association, representing more than 1.4 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
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