The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when buying or renting a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities. Additional protections apply to federally-assisted housing. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of age, race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.
Greater Tampa REALTORS® (GTR) is committed to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, Fair Housing, inclusivity and diversity. We walk arm-in-arm with REALTORS® across the country who are aligned with and committed to the values of the National Association of REALTORS®. Transcending rhetoric and appearances, REALTORS® are committed to upholding the practice of human decency, respect and fairness in our profession.
Fair Housing Act
Fair Housing Act Overview
Watch this video to learn about the law, how it makes our industry and country stronger, and the work that is still to be done.
A Matter of Place
Race and Redlining
In 1968, Congress passed the Fair Housing Act that made it illegal to discriminate in housing. NPR’s Code Switch explains why neighborhoods are still so segregated today.
Fair Housing Resources
NAR Provides Guidelines on Guarding Against Hate Speech: https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/06/09/nar-provides-guidelines-on-guarding-against-hate-speech
A Snapshot of Race and Homebuying in America: https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2020-snapshot-of-race-and-home-buying-in-america-02-21-2020.pdf
Separated by Design: Why Affordable Housing Is Built in Areas With High Crime, Few Jobs and Struggling Schools: https://www.propublica.org/article/separated-by-design-why-affordable-housing-is-built-in-areas-with-high-crime-few-jobs-and-struggling-schools
How REALTORS® Can Stop Housing Inequality: https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/08/18/how-realtors-can-stop-housing-inequity
In 49 States, Women Pay Higher Mortgage Rates Than Men: https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2021/03/49-states-women-pay-higher-mortgage-rates-men
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America: https://realtor.overdrive.com/media/3784149?cid=155281
The Big Sort: https://realtor.overdrive.com/media/1044818
Biased: https://realtor.overdrive.com/media/4057683
Overcoming Bias: https://realtor.overdrive.com/media/2995577
Family Properties: https://realtor.overdrive.com/media/511741
From Foreclosure to Fair Lending: https://realtor.overdrive.com/media/1268931
Racial Policies and Practices of Real Estate Brokers: https://realtor.overdrive.com/media/1302408
Fair Housing and Related Laws: www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_and_related_law
Advertising and Marketing Fair Housing Compliance: www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/advertising_and_marketing
Fairhaven: A Fair Housing Simulation: fairhaven.realtor
REALTOR® Code of Ethics: www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2020-Code-of-Ethics-and-Standards-of-Practice.pdf
Fair Housing Handbook 5th Edition (Digital Download): https://store.realtor.org/product/guide/fair-housing-handbook-fifth-edition?sku=E166-1084
Fair Housing Rental: Pocket Guide (Digital Download): https://store.realtor.org/product/guide/fair-housing-rental-pocket-guide?sku=E166-153
Fair Housing for Real Estate Brokerage Essentials: https://www.nar.realtor/fair-housing/excerpt-from-real-estate-brokerage-essentials
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990, makes it unlawful to discriminate against people with disabilities. The law has five sections or “titles” which apply to employment, public services, public accommodations, services operated by private entities, and telecommunications.
10 Small Business Mistakes
ADA Website Compliance
Service & Support Animals
Here’s a look at new and revised laws regarding service and emotional support animals that just went into effect, plus answers to three common questions about individuals who are disabled and their assistance animals.
ADA Resources
Better Service for Clients with Disabilities: https://magazine.realtor/news-and-commentary/feature/article/2018/03/better-service-for-clients-with-disabilities
Real Estate Agents Adapt to Needs of Clients with Disabilities Seeking the Right Home: https://www.latimes.com/home/la-hm-disability-20160123-story.html
Visually Accessible Websites Aid ADA Compliance: https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/07/31/visually-accessible-websites-aid-ada-compliance
Federal Disability Law in a Nutshell: https://realtor.overdrive.com/media/2524958
Recognizing Human Rights in Different Cultural Contexts: https://realtor.overdrive.com/media/5576569
The Disability Pendulum: https://realtor.overdrive.com/media/2772842
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, As Amended: https://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm
ADA Requirements: https://www.ada.gov/revised_effective_dates-2010.htm
ADA Know Your Rights: https://www.ada.gov/servicemembers_adainfo.html
Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design: https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/2010ADAStandards/Guidance_2010ADAStandards.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA: https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.pdf
ADA Compliance for Small Businesses: https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/smallbusiness/smallbusprimer2010.htm
Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Kit: https://www.nar.realtor/legal/complying-with-federal-regulations/americans-with-disabilities-act-compliance-kit
REALTOR® Code of Ethics: www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2020-Code-of-Ethics-and-Standards-of-Practice.pdf
Fair Housing & The ADA: Reasonable Accommodations with Service Animals (White Paper): https://realtorparty.realtor/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2020/07/NAR-Fair-Housing_Resonable_Accommodation_Service_Animals-AUGUST-2018-002.pdf
Education Courses
At Home With Diversity (AHWD)
The course work for the At Home with Diversity® certification is designed to enable you to work successfully with and within a rapidly changing multicultural market. It will help you to learn diversity sensitivity, how it applies to U.S. fair housing laws in your business, and ways to develop professional guidelines for working with people in the increasingly multicultural real estate market.
Learn more here: https://www.nar.realtor/education/designations-and-certifications/ahwd
Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES)
Leading with Diversity - Real Estate for All Alliance
The Real Estate For All Alliance (REFAA) is a diversity partnership between Greater Tampa REALTORS® and the five real estate specialty groups in the Tampa Bay area. GTR formed REFAA to celebrate diversity and equal representation for homeowners from all backgrounds. Together, the Alliance represents strength in diversity, unity, and real estate professionalism. Through REFAA, Greater Tampa REALTORS® provides an even greater voice for these organizations in the area to promote fair and equitable housing for all.
Asian Real Estate Association of America
LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance
The LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance advocates for fair housing for all and promote LGBTQ+ homeownership. The Alliance elevates professionalism in the industry through education and networking. It also celebrates diversity and inclusion in its members and allied partners.
National Chapter: https://realestatealliance.org/
National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals
The National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (NAGLREP) is a mission driven nonprofit that is part business and part advocacy. NARGLREP’s advocacy mission is to advocate on behalf of the rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community as it relates to housing and discrimination laws.
National Chapter: https://naglrep.com/
National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals
National Association of Real Estate Brokers
The National Association of Real Estate Brokers, (NAREB), is a Real Estate Professional trade organization. NAREB is a professional real estate organization which includes membership from multiple disciplines in the real estate industry.
National Chapter: https://www.nareb.com/
Local Chapter: https://narebtampa.org/
Women's Council of REALTORS®