Every April, we recognize Fair Housing Month to commemorate the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. This landmark federal law prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. I’m proud to say that our REALTOR® Code of Ethics takes this even further by also prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The purpose of Fair Housing Month is to raise awareness and highlight the progress that has been made. However, it also serves as a reminder of the challenges that remain in promoting & procuring equal access to housing for all. Data from the National Association of REALTORS® shows that despite ongoing affordability challenges, homeownership among Americans has continued to be higher compared to a decade ago. While homeownership rates have improved across all racial and ethnic groups over the past decade, some groups continue to lag behind. In fact, despite recording the largest year-over-year gains in 2023, Black homeownership remains substantially lower than that of other groups. Data reveals that the gap between Black and White homeownership rates has widened over the past decade, increasing from 27% in 2013 to 28% in 2023.
With the current divisive rhetoric and policymaking happening in our state and in our country it’s more important now than ever to commit to breaking down barriers and fostering fair housing for all. We must work together to address the widening racial homeownership gap Let us reflect on our history, repair disparities, and work together to build communities where everyone has access to housing. Every person deserves a place to call home, regardless of their background. No one should be denied housing because of who they are.
For additional Fair Housing resources or to report housing discrimination you can visit https://nationalfairhousing.org.
Wesley Harvey is a REALTOR® and licensed Broker with Onward Real Estate with 10+ years of experience. Wesley serves on the Board of Directors for Greater Nashville REALTORS® and Tennessee REALTORS®. Wesley was honored with the 2025 Fair Housing Champion Award from Tennessee REALTORS® and the Fair Housing Hero Award from Greater Nashville REALTORS® in 2023.
