ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT Proposed Laws Target Fair Housing Fair Housing Legislative Package Southiand Regonal Assocation of Realtors By Dane Sydel, Presidert, and David Waker Realtors recently unveiled a legislative package designed to address ongoing fair housing and equity issues that persist, espe- cially for communities of color. The package is part of Califor- nia Association of Realtor's "Californians Need Housing Now" initiative, which urges the Legislature to enact policies that address California's worsening housing affordability and availability crisis with increased housing supply Fair Housing and Equity legislative solutions include requiring Califomia real estate professionals to take implicit bias training. removing discriminatory language in property records, prohibiting discrimination against people living in affordable housing, and repealing Article 34 of the California Constitution. CARS legiskative package inchudes: Prohibiting Discrimination Against Residents in Affordable Housing Assembly Bill 491 (Gonzalez)This bill will ensure that multifamily proper- ties provide the occupants of affordable units the same access to common entrances, common areas, and amenities that are available to the occupants of market-rate units and do not isolate affordable units to a specific floor or area. "Imagine being a parent and having to tell your child that they can't swim in the pool or enter through the same door as their neighbors,"Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez said. "We need to make sure affordable housing residents aren't treated as second-class." SOUTHLAND REGIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS", INC. families from realizing the economic | disabilities, indigenous people and and societal benefits that housing provides." C.A.R. recently released a report that illustrated the homeowner- ship gap and wealth disparity for people of color, women, people with members of the LGBTQ commu- nity. The Southland Regional Association of Realtors is a local trade association with more than 10.300 members serving the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. Implicit Blas Training for Real Estate Professionals Senate Bill 263 (Rubio)-This bill requires a real estate licensee's continuing education requirement to include a two-hour course on implicit bias training for real estate licensees, including actionable steps licensees can take to prevent implicit bias. It also requires the current fair housing training to include par- ticipation in interactive training where role-play scenarios are used to illustrate live-experiences from the perspective of both a consumer and a licensee. "I know how systemic racism and biases can make it even more difficult for a family trying to achieve the American Dream of homeownership," Sen. Susan Rubio said Repealing Article 34 SCA 2 (Wiener, Alen)-Enacted by voters in 1950, Article 34 of the Cali- fornia Constitution requires that any development comprised of"low-rent", i.e. affordable dwelings, financed in whole or in part by federal, state or local government, be approved by a vote of the people in the jurisdiction where the project is located. The Califormia Association of Realtors is co-sponsoring SCA 2, which seeks to repeal Article 34 in its entirety. Welcome to Realtor Dlane Sydell, 2021 SRAR President FAIRHAVEN Use your fair hous- ing knowledge to navigate challeng- ing real estate sce- narios in Fairhaven. and fair housing reforms. Specifically, the bills address the historic and ongoing inequities fac- ing Black, Indigenous and people of color that have made it harder for these communities to access and afford housing in California. "Realtors are on the front lines fighting to overcome California's housing supply and affordability crisis, which includes ensuring fair housing opportunities for all people," said C.A.R. President Dave Walsh. "This ... legislative package is a critical first step in what must be an ongoing effort to eliminate dis- crimination and other barriers that Thave historically prevented so many The concept is simple: TREAT EVERYONE FAIRLY. If a client violates fair housing laws, Realtors need to follow these best practices to ensure fair treatment, avoid liability, and prevent the filing of a Fair Housing discrimination complaint: Remind clients of their obligations under the Fair Housing Act and of the Realtor's policy not to discriminate. Discontinue representation of any client who has made a state- ment or taken an action in violation of fair housing laws. Report the situation to their broker. Document the situation in writing, including what actions the Realtor took in response to a client's violations. Realtors who are unsure whether a client's actions violate fair housing laws need to consult with an attorney. In addition to these best practices, it's always a good idea to include a clear statement of the Realtor's commitment to upholding fair housing laws in their listing agreements and other communications with clients. These efforts, along with a reminder to clients of their own ob- ligations under fair housing laws, will go a long way to not only protecting Realtors from legal liability, but to helping prevent fair housing discrimination. The Sting, Pain of Bias initiative that emplasizes accountability, ulur change, Every conversation with the sales agent in my bid to buy a home in a West San Fernando Valley new subdivision went from bad to worse, until it dawned on me - they didn't want me and my young family in the community. That was decades ago, yet the insult still stings. Imagine the devastation and anger if discrimination happened regularly, without waming, without cause, without reason! Short circuiting the cruelty of bias is the goal of a new immersive online simulation training available to Realtors nationwide that puts participants in the shoes of clients experiencing discrimination as they try to buy a home. It sure was an eye opener for me. Fairhaven is a fictional town where Realtors work against the clock to sell homes while confronting discrimi- nation in the homebuying process. The website is part of the National Association of Realtors' fair housing action the industry. The simulation is uncomfortable in its authenticity, fimly challenging decisions that violate fair housing laws, showing the deep pain caused by discrimination, and il- hustrating, the benefits of... being fair. "I didnt get the home because I'm black. Right? What can we do?"a father asks? Or "Cant we challenge the condo association's refusal to let me build a ramp for my wheelchair?" Or what should a licensee do if they hear a client or another licensee suggest illegal steering? In the simulation there is time to think, to weigh op- tions. But in reality the choices, the ethical forks in the road, come fast and furious. Decikde. Now! Each is a choice berween our personal ethics, our ideals as a nation, or add- ing to centuries of systemic discrimination. Discrimination of any kind within the real estate industry not only violates the law, but is bad for businesses, bad for the communities we all love, bad for the people we hurt. David Walker THE VOICE OF REAL ESTATE IN THE SAN FERNANDO AND SANTA CLARITA VALLEYS www.SRAR.com | Real Estate Questions? E-mail Diane Sydell, SRAR 2021 President, c/o DavidW@SRAR.com REALTORS is a federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a Member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSe and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethies. ... ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT Proposed Laws Target Fair Housing Fair Housing Legislative Package Southiand Regonal Assocation of Realtors By Dane Sydel, Presidert, and David Waker Realtors recently unveiled a legislative package designed to address ongoing fair housing and equity issues that persist, espe- cially for communities of color. The package is part of Califor- nia Association of Realtor's "Californians Need Housing Now" initiative, which urges the Legislature to enact policies that address California's worsening housing affordability and availability crisis with increased housing supply Fair Housing and Equity legislative solutions include requiring Califomia real estate professionals to take implicit bias training. removing discriminatory language in property records, prohibiting discrimination against people living in affordable housing, and repealing Article 34 of the California Constitution. CARS legiskative package inchudes: Prohibiting Discrimination Against Residents in Affordable Housing Assembly Bill 491 (Gonzalez)This bill will ensure that multifamily proper- ties provide the occupants of affordable units the same access to common entrances, common areas, and amenities that are available to the occupants of market-rate units and do not isolate affordable units to a specific floor or area. "Imagine being a parent and having to tell your child that they can't swim in the pool or enter through the same door as their neighbors,"Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez said. "We need to make sure affordable housing residents aren't treated as second-class." SOUTHLAND REGIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS", INC. families from realizing the economic | disabilities, indigenous people and and societal benefits that housing provides." C.A.R. recently released a report that illustrated the homeowner- ship gap and wealth disparity for people of color, women, people with members of the LGBTQ commu- nity. The Southland Regional Association of Realtors is a local trade association with more than 10.300 members serving the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. Implicit Blas Training for Real Estate Professionals Senate Bill 263 (Rubio)-This bill requires a real estate licensee's continuing education requirement to include a two-hour course on implicit bias training for real estate licensees, including actionable steps licensees can take to prevent implicit bias. It also requires the current fair housing training to include par- ticipation in interactive training where role-play scenarios are used to illustrate live-experiences from the perspective of both a consumer and a licensee. "I know how systemic racism and biases can make it even more difficult for a family trying to achieve the American Dream of homeownership," Sen. Susan Rubio said Repealing Article 34 SCA 2 (Wiener, Alen)-Enacted by voters in 1950, Article 34 of the Cali- fornia Constitution requires that any development comprised of"low-rent", i.e. affordable dwelings, financed in whole or in part by federal, state or local government, be approved by a vote of the people in the jurisdiction where the project is located. The Califormia Association of Realtors is co-sponsoring SCA 2, which seeks to repeal Article 34 in its entirety. Welcome to Realtor Dlane Sydell, 2021 SRAR President FAIRHAVEN Use your fair hous- ing knowledge to navigate challeng- ing real estate sce- narios in Fairhaven. and fair housing reforms. Specifically, the bills address the historic and ongoing inequities fac- ing Black, Indigenous and people of color that have made it harder for these communities to access and afford housing in California. "Realtors are on the front lines fighting to overcome California's housing supply and affordability crisis, which includes ensuring fair housing opportunities for all people," said C.A.R. President Dave Walsh. "This ... legislative package is a critical first step in what must be an ongoing effort to eliminate dis- crimination and other barriers that Thave historically prevented so many The concept is simple: TREAT EVERYONE FAIRLY. If a client violates fair housing laws, Realtors need to follow these best practices to ensure fair treatment, avoid liability, and prevent the filing of a Fair Housing discrimination complaint: Remind clients of their obligations under the Fair Housing Act and of the Realtor's policy not to discriminate. Discontinue representation of any client who has made a state- ment or taken an action in violation of fair housing laws. Report the situation to their broker. Document the situation in writing, including what actions the Realtor took in response to a client's violations. Realtors who are unsure whether a client's actions violate fair housing laws need to consult with an attorney. In addition to these best practices, it's always a good idea to include a clear statement of the Realtor's commitment to upholding fair housing laws in their listing agreements and other communications with clients. These efforts, along with a reminder to clients of their own ob- ligations under fair housing laws, will go a long way to not only protecting Realtors from legal liability, but to helping prevent fair housing discrimination. The Sting, Pain of Bias initiative that emplasizes accountability, ulur change, Every conversation with the sales agent in my bid to buy a home in a West San Fernando Valley new subdivision went from bad to worse, until it dawned on me - they didn't want me and my young family in the community. That was decades ago, yet the insult still stings. Imagine the devastation and anger if discrimination happened regularly, without waming, without cause, without reason! Short circuiting the cruelty of bias is the goal of a new immersive online simulation training available to Realtors nationwide that puts participants in the shoes of clients experiencing discrimination as they try to buy a home. It sure was an eye opener for me. Fairhaven is a fictional town where Realtors work against the clock to sell homes while confronting discrimi- nation in the homebuying process. The website is part of the National Association of Realtors' fair housing action the industry. The simulation is uncomfortable in its authenticity, fimly challenging decisions that violate fair housing laws, showing the deep pain caused by discrimination, and il- hustrating, the benefits of... being fair. "I didnt get the home because I'm black. Right? What can we do?"a father asks? Or "Cant we challenge the condo association's refusal to let me build a ramp for my wheelchair?" Or what should a licensee do if they hear a client or another licensee suggest illegal steering? In the simulation there is time to think, to weigh op- tions. But in reality the choices, the ethical forks in the road, come fast and furious. Decikde. Now! Each is a choice berween our personal ethics, our ideals as a nation, or add- ing to centuries of systemic discrimination. Discrimination of any kind within the real estate industry not only violates the law, but is bad for businesses, bad for the communities we all love, bad for the people we hurt. David Walker THE VOICE OF REAL ESTATE IN THE SAN FERNANDO AND SANTA CLARITA VALLEYS www.SRAR.com | Real Estate Questions? E-mail Diane Sydell, SRAR 2021 President, c/o DavidW@SRAR.com REALTORS is a federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a Member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSe and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethies. ...