Apr29
Housing Secretary Marcia L. Fudge moved this week to reinstate fair housing regulations that had been gutted under President Donald Trump, in one of the most tangible steps that the Biden administration has taken thus far to address systemic racism. The effort comes less than three months after President Biden signed executive orders aimed at increasing racial equity across the nation, Continue Reading
Apr27
Incremental increases in homeownership rates and home values among Black households would help shrink the current $3 trillion racial wealth gap by hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade, according to a new Zillow analysis. Today’s typical Black household has only about 23% of the wealth of a typical white household, down from Continue Reading
Apr26
The gap in homeownership rates between Black and White Americans grew to over 30% last year — which is higher than what it was in 1960, when racial discrimination in housing was legal. The fact that the Black homeownership gap has persisted since the passing of the 1968 Fair Housing Act, which outlawed housing discrimination, Continue Reading
Apr22
Some financial help was much needed as Sacramento housing prices soared amid a seller’s market, even with a pandemic in the mix. SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) wants people to buy a house in the city, and to sweeten the deal, offered grants of up to $22,000 for down payments and Continue Reading
Apr19
President Biden has consistently stressed the need to address the racial inequity that plagues America. Nowhere is this inequity more pronounced than the wealth gap. The typical Black family has one-eighth of the net worth of white households. Latinos have less than a fifth. Yet most of the $640-billion housing plan Biden proposed during the campaign will do nothing Continue Reading
Apr13
President Joe Biden’s $1.5 trillion discretionary funding request includes a 15% budget increase for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to combat homelessness, retrofit rental housing and increase the supply of affordable housing. But housing industry insiders tell HousingWire that the proposed budget looks unlikely to be passed as currently configured. In a letter sent to lawmakers on Continue Reading
Apr09
As the US population becomes older and more diverse, lagging homeownership rates for young households and households of color should cause concern. Homeownership is the primary way American families have built financial security—through long-term accumulated benefits of loan repayment, appreciation, and fixed housing costs. The resulting wealth can open opportunities for homeowners’ children, helping them fund education or become Continue Reading
Apr08
Q: Marsha, my Realtor told me she’s taking a fair housing class for one of her continuing education requirements in real estate. Why is this necessary? A: That’s a great question, especially as April is Fair Housing Month. What seems like a simple and obvious subject — treat everyone fairly — is really a vast and complicated Continue Reading
Apr07
When Assata Thomas was 26 and shopping for a house, she just happened to end up with a realtor who, like her, was Black. But she soon recognized that her broker could relate to her experience, her needs, and her concerns as a Black homebuyer, and they developed a trusting relationship that culminated in her Continue Reading
Mar24
It is well-documented that homes in Black neighborhoods generally appraise for less value than similar properties in predominantly white areas. There’s no single explanation for this disparity, which is the result of hundreds of years of history and policy — as well as social biases — but it’s clear that the appraisal gap has a tangible Continue Reading
Mar24
Industry Firms Collaborate to Help Expedite Application Process for Independent Contractors Three industry firms are collaborating to help streamline the process for agents to apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans in the coming weeks, urging independent contractors to apply immediately before the March 31 deadline, or before funding for the program could potentially run out. Continue Reading
Mar18
Several banks have announced initiatives totaling billions of dollars that are aimed at addressing racial inequalities, but observers say the programs need to be carefully tailored. For 15 years, Harvey Yancey has been building and renovating market-rate homes, affordable housing and commercial spaces in Washington, D.C. During that time, his company, H2DesignBuild, has navigated funding Continue Reading
Mar09
You’ve heard of a Realtor before, but have you heard of a Realtist? Homeownership has served as a crucial stepping stone to the middle class and generational wealth. But it’s also been a hurdle for African Americans. Redlining, systemic failures and polices have long contributed to black Americans being shut out from obtaining this crucial Continue Reading
Feb11
According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, fewer than 6 percent of all real estate professionals are Black, compared to 74.6 percent who are White and 8.79 percent who are Hispanic. This statistic stood out to Antoine Thompson, the executive director of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, or NAREB. Continue Reading
Feb11
NAREB honored for advocating for equal opportunity affordable housing Atlanta, GA, February 4, 2021 — Down Payment Resource (DPR) is proud to announce the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) as the 2020 recipient of the Beverly Faull Affordable Housing Leadership Award. The award, named in memory of accomplished real estate veteran Beverly Faull, recognizes an Continue Reading
Feb10
Program is the first of its kind in the United States, providing financial, educational, and career support for aspiring Black real estate agents to help them achieve high-production success. HomeLight, the real estate technology platform that empowers people to achieve better outcomes when buying or selling their home, announced today the launch of the Black Real Continue Reading
Feb10
Up to $5,000 of licensing costs covered for participants in new NAREB program The National Association of Real Estate Brokers and HomeLight has announced the creation of its “Black Real Estate Agent” program to provide financial, educational, and career support for aspiring Black real estate agents. HomeLight is partnering with NAREB in this venture with the goal of ultimately improving the rate Continue Reading
Feb10
In July 2019, African-American home ownership reached historic lows in the United States, affecting neighborhoods, families, school quality, and generational wealth. Systematic racism has been oppressing black Americans for decades.Have seen the direct impact of Racist law and real estate lending policy..Along Prevent African Americans from buying a home where they want to liveBoth the government and Continue Reading
Jan21
If Joe Biden hopes to enact an ambitious recovery agenda modeled on the New Deal, he must confront its racist legacy. For many Black and brown Americans, 2021 brought renewed optimism about advancing a racial justice agenda. With a new presidential administration, the racist despot will soon be removed, and the first African, Asian, Caribbean American and female vice Continue Reading
Jan18
1. King’s birth name was Michael, not Martin. The civil rights leader was born Michael King Jr. on January 15, 1929. In 1934, however, his father, a pastor at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, traveled to Germany and became inspired by the Protestant Reformation leader Martin Luther. As a result, King Sr. changed his own name as well as that Continue Reading