For Immediate Release:
April 8, 2009
REALTORS® Promote Fair Housing for All
New Jersey Association of REALTORS® (NJAR®) promotes Fair Housing Month throughout April
(Edison, NJ) Throughout April, the New Jersey Association of REALTORS® (NJAR®) will support Fair Housing Month by helping to raise awareness and educate consumers about fair housing laws and the importance of equal opportunity in housing.
"All citizens have the right to obtain housing without facing discrimination," said NJAR® President Diane Dilzell. "REALTORS® continue to be outspoken advocates for fair housing and work with home buyers and sellers to ensure they receive equal access to affordable housing and homeownership."
This year marks the 41st anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, which protects people from discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, disability, familial status and national origin. In 2003, President Bush designated April as Fair Housing Month to mark the anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, which was signed on April 11, 1968 and was amended in 1988 with the National Association of REALTORS®' (NAR) support. The amendments extended protection to families with children and persons with disabilities.
NJAR® members pledge to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics, which obliges REALTORS® to conduct business fairly and ethically. This echoes strong support for fair housing throughout the REALTOR® organization.
In New Jersey, the Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits discrimination when selling or renting property. The law applies to owners, agents, employees and brokers and makes it unlawful to refuse to rent, show or sell property based upon a person's race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, marital status, domestic partnership status, familial status, gender identity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation, sex, or mental and physical disability, including AIDS and HIV-related illness.
NJAR®'s goal is to educate the public about the opportunities and expectations all consumers are entitled to when it comes to the American dream of homeownership. REALTORS® are available to help guide consumers through all types of real estate transactions to help everyone find a home that meets their needs. For more information and/or to find a REALTOR® that can help you, visit
http://www.njar.com.
For more information about the LAD, please visit
http://www.state.nj.us/lps/dcr/law.html and for more information about the Fair Housing Act, please visit
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/housing/housing_coverage.htm.
Unfair practices are not to be tolerated and should be reported. Consumers who feel they have been refused housing due to discrimination can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development at http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/nov108online-complaint.cfm or with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights at
http://www.nj.gov/oag/dcr/filing.html.
The New Jersey Association of REALTORS®, with approximately 50,000 REALTOR® and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® members, is one of the largest trade organizations in the state. NJAR®'s membership is comprised of real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics and are members of the national and local REALTOR® organizations. As the leading advocate for the real estate industry and private property rights in New Jersey, NJAR® is committed to protecting the dream of homeownership. For more information, please visit
www.njar.com.
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