As America becomes more diverse, the top goal of immigrants is to own their own home. REALTORS® can help buyers of any cultural background achieve the American dream of homeownership. Knowing how to work effectively with diverse populations can help you build business success in today's multicultural real estate market.

NAR's Equal Opportunity and Cultural Diversity program offers education, grants, partnerships, and events for REALTORS®. This section provides information and tools to help you connect with diverse groups and create business opportunities. Learn about the business case for diversity and inclusiveness, discover leadership opportunities, and find out about fair housing and equal opportunity.

April is Fair Housing Month

April 2012 marks the 44th anniversary of the 1968 landmark Fair Housing Act. Each year REALTORS® recognize the significance of this event and reconfirm our commitment to upholding fair housing law as well as our commitment to offering equal professional service to all in their search for real property.

April 2012 Fair Housing FOCUS Publication and Poster

The 2012 edition of the Fair Housing FOCUS features a theme of Fair Housing in Your Community, as well as information on the Community and Political Affairs training opportunities like the new Smart Growth for the 21st Century course. The At Home with Diversity class is available all year long.

The Fair Housing Focus includes a poster, advice on reporting acts of discrimination, information on multicultural real estate organization meetings, NAR diversity, smart growth and housing opportunity grants, and ideas for Fair Housing Month.  In addition to being posted online (above), it is sent to all state and local associations in March.  Watch your mailboxes or contact us if you would like to receive a copy of your own.

Learn more about Fair Housing Month.

Equal Opportunity Cultural Diversity Forum Highlights

Power Plays: Diversity in the Political Game

This forum focused on what state and local associations can do to increase their advocacy efforts by involving members of all ethnicities in the process. Read more.

What's New in Diversity

NAR Delegate Body Approves Amendment to Code of Ethics to Include Sexual Orientation

NAR Delegate Body approved to amend Article 10 of the NAR Code of Ethics to include "sexual orientation" as a protected class. The change was passed in a roll-call vote by a greater than 9-to-1 margin. It had been previously approved by the Professional Standards Committee and the Board of Directors at the 2010 Midyear Meetings in Washington, D.C. See details and the amended language to the Code of Ethics here. 

Interested in Finding Out About the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (NAGLREP)?

The National Association of Gay & Lesbian Real Estate Professionals, NAGLREP is a mission-driven trade organization that is part business and part advocacy for equality, sustainable homeownership and the wealth and stability it affords not only the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) community, but all American families. Read more.