How REALTORS® Can Be Advocates for Fair Housing in Their Communities

Louisiana REALTORS® • April 3, 2025

As a Louisiana REALTOR®, your role extends beyond buying and selling homes. You have the power to shape communities and ensure fair housing opportunities for all. Fair housing advocacy is not just about compliance with the law; it’s about fostering inclusive, diverse, and thriving neighborhoods.


By actively promoting fair housing in your community, you can strengthen public trust, enhance your professional reputation, and contribute to a more equitable real estate market. This guide outlines actionable steps Louisiana REALTORS® can take to be champions for fair housing in their communities.


Understanding the Importance of Fair Housing Advocacy

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) was established to eliminate discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial status. Louisiana’s fair housing laws align with these federal protections, ensuring equal access to housing opportunities statewide.


However, disparities still exist in many communities. As a REALTOR®, you are in a unique position to help close these gaps by advocating for fair housing practices, educating clients and colleagues, and supporting policies that promote equal housing opportunities.


Educate Yourself and Your Clients on Fair Housing Laws

A strong foundation in fair housing laws is essential for any REALTOR® who wants to be an advocate. Staying informed helps you recognize discriminatory practices and ensures you can educate clients on their rights. Take advantage of the following to keep yourself and your clients up to date:

  • Attend Fair Housing Training – The Louisiana REALTORS® association and the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) offer workshops and certifications on fair housing laws and best practices.
  • Follow Local and National Updates – Housing laws evolve, so keep up with changes through HUD, LREC, and professional real estate organizations.
  • Provide Educational Materials – Offer clients and community members information on fair housing rights, resources, and complaint procedures.


Promote Inclusive and Equitable Housing Practices

Ensuring fairness in all real estate transactions is a direct way to advocate for fair housing. Your actions set the tone for how buyers, sellers, landlords, and renters perceive and interact with the housing market. Some best practices for REALTORS® include:

  • Using Neutral and Inclusive Language – Avoid phrases that imply preference for certain demographics in listings and conversations.
  • Ensuring Equal Treatment for All Clients – Offer the same level of service, responsiveness, and access to listings to every client.
  • Advocating for Fair Lending Practices – Help clients navigate mortgage options while ensuring they aren’t subjected to discriminatory lending practices.


Support Fair Housing Organizations and Initiatives

Advocacy goes beyond individual transactions. REALTORS® can make a meaningful impact by supporting organizations that work toward housing equality. Get involved by:

  • Partnering with Local Fair Housing Groups – Check out your local area for regional fair housing agencies that work to combat discrimination.
  • Participating in Housing Assistance Programs – Volunteer for initiatives that provide financial education, homebuyer assistance, and housing support for marginalized communities.
  • Supporting Affordable Housing Policies – Engage with local policymakers to promote initiatives that increase access to affordable and diverse housing.


Engage with Your Community to Promote Fair Housing Awareness

Active engagement with the communities you serve strengthens fair housing advocacy efforts and helps build trust among residents. You can make an impact by:

  • Hosting Fair Housing Seminars – Organize informational events to educate homebuyers, renters, and landlords about their rights and responsibilities.
  • Partnering with Schools and Community Centers – Work with educators and local leaders to promote financial literacy and homeownership education.
  • Using Your Platform for Awareness – Share fair housing resources on your website, social media, and client communications.


Fair housing advocacy isn’t just a legal obligation—it’s an opportunity to create stronger, more inclusive communities. By educating yourself and others, promoting equitable housing practices, and engaging with local organizations, Louisiana REALTORS® can lead the way in ensuring equal access to housing for all.

REALTOR® RESOURCES

Update from 2025 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings

By Louisiana REALTORS® • June 6, 2025
The National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors approved a 2026 budget with no dues increase and passed a Professional Standards Recommendation to clarify language in NAR Code of Ethics Standard of Practice 10-5, which prohibits harassment of any person or persons protected under Article 10 of the Code. A day earlier, the Executive Committee approved another Professional Standards change, revising language for Policy Statement 29 designed to ensure state and local associations can fairly and consistently enforce the Code of Ethics. Learn more about the changes. Read the revised Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Board members also approved a consent agenda to elect the 2026 officers and regional vice presidents . Christine Hansen of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., was elected 2026 President-Elect, and Colin Mullane of Ashland, Ore. was elected 2026 First Vice President. The meeting opened with a video message from President Donald Trump, who welcomed REALTORS® to Washington and thanked them for support of the House-passed tax reform. NAR routinely invites the U.S. president to address REALTORS® at the Washington meetings. Over NAR's history, nine sitting presidents have addressed the association. Board Actions Approved a series of Finance Committee recommendations, accepting the association’s financial statement, approving the 2026 operating and advocacy budgets, and keeping dues at $156. The board actions also redirect $35 of the $45 Consumer Advertising Campaign assessment to operating funds. This change positions NAR to make its next settlement payment in February 2026 and maintain a balanced budget without raising total dues. The remaining $10 for the Consumer Advertising Campaign will fund optimized, metrics-driven activities that reach and engage consumers in critical markets. NAR CEO Nykia Wright and President Kevin Sears explained the shift at the opening session of the conference . Amended Standard of Practice 10-5 to give state and local associations greater clarity in how to fairly and consistently enforce Article 10 of the Code of Ethics. The amended Standard of Practice says that REALTORS®, in their capacity as real estate professionals, in association with their real estate businesses, or in their real estate-related activities, shall not harass any person or persons based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Made a series of recommendations to the Standards of Practice to bring the language in line with the terms of NAR’s 2024 settlement. Approved a motion to make one member of the Executive Committee a commercial practitioner who has served as chair, vice chair or liaison of an NAR commercial-related committee or forum to serve a two-year term and be independent of the 10% commercial representation requirement outlined in the NAR Constitution. Approved a recommendation from the Credentials and Campaign Rules Committee to amend qualifications for president-elect, first vice president and treasurer effective Jan. 1, 2026. Qualifications for top-line officers are now aligned with those already in place for regional vice presidents. Approved recommendations from the Member Accountability Committee related to applications for volunteer leadership and the Statement of Appropriate Event Conduct. The goal of the recommendations is to ensure members found in violation of the NAR Member Code of Conduct are properly disclosed. Award Winners NAR President Kevin Sears announced the 2025 Distinguished Service Award winners James P. Cormier , AHWD, C2EX, of Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Brooke S. Hunt , AHWD, E-PRO, SFR, SRS, C2EX , of Flower Mound, Texas. In addition, the group recognized the winner of the 2024 William R. Magel Award, Anne Marie DeCatsye , CEO of the Canopy REALTOR® Association and Canopy MLS in the Charlotte, N.C., metro area. REALTORS® Relief Foundation  During the meeting, REALTORS® Relief Foundation President Greg Hrabcak appealed to board members to make a tax-deductible donation. The fund provides housing assistance to victims in the immediate aftermath of a disaster; 100% of funds donated go to disaster relief. “We’ve had devastating wildfires in California, tornadoes in Missouri and Kentucky and flooding in West Virginia, and we’re still in the first half of this year,” Hrabcak said. Before the meeting ended, directors had donated more than $41,000.
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