April is Fair Housing Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2009
Contact:
Mary Schaefer
217-529-2600
 

Illinois REALTORS® Celebrate Fair Housing Month

April is Fair Housing Month and REALTORS® continue to be leading supporters and advocates for equal opportunity in Illinois housing. Toward that goal, the Illinois Association of REALTORS® devotes the month of April to highlighting fair housing laws.

“People have the right to live wherever they can afford to live and their access to a home shouldn’t be denied or restricted because of discrimination. REALTORS® play a vital role in ensuring fair housing for all,” said Pat Callan, president of the Illinois Association of REALTORS®. “REALTORS® follow a strict code of ethics and strive to fulfill the requirements of fair housing laws to help educate the public about their rights and responsibilities under the fair housing laws.”

Established by Congress in 1968, the U.S. Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on the race, color, religion, sex, or national origin of those seeking housing. In 1988, the law was amended to prohibit discrimination based on disability and familial status. The Illinois Human Rights Act further protects citizens from prejudice in regards to sexual orientation, marital status, military status, age and ancestry.

The Illinois Association of REALTORS®, together with its nonprofit affordable housing foundation the Partnership for HomeOwnership, has developed a public Web site at www.TheHousingSite.org where Illinois citizens and real estate professionals can find the state and federal laws, regulations and resources related to fair housing gathered in one place.

In addition, real estate firms and local associations throughout the state continuously educate real estate professionals and the public with fair housing training throughout the year.

“The fair housing laws are in place to provide and protect the rights of the public to equal opportunity in the purchase, sale, rental, lease, financing, insuring and advertising of housing,” said Callan. “The Illinois Association of REALTORS® and local REALTOR® Associations pledge to uphold the spirit as well as the letter of the law through programs, activities and training designed to promote and further equal opportunity for all.”

The Illinois Association and National Association of REALTORS® have a long history of partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and fair housing groups to support equal access to all.

The Illinois Association of REALTORS® is a voluntary trade association whose 53,000 members are engaged in all facets of the real estate industry. In addition to serving the professional needs of its members, the Illinois Association of REALTORS® works to protect the rights of private property owners in the state by recommending and promoting legislation that safeguards and advances the interest of real property ownership.

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