Introduction to Fair Housing

The Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTORS firmly supports the principle of fair housing for all. REALTORS in the Daytona Beach area must be fully committed to complying with the fair housing laws because there is no room in our profession for housing discrimination.

The federal fair housing law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, familial status and handicap. Many local real estate brokers and sales associates are taking proactive steps to guard against housing discrimination. More and more are realizing they cannot remain "neutral" in situations involving any party who attempts to discriminate.

Our organization supports programs to educate the public about the right to equal housing opportunities, and to educate the real estate industry about fair housing responsibilities. The best way to avoid potentially discriminatory situations is to be fully educated about the law's requirements. Awareness is the key.


• Introduction to Fair Housing
• What Everyone Should Know About Fair Housing
• Fair Housing Declaration
• Tips To Stay Out Of Trouble
• Fair Housing Ad Word List
• Fairhaven.realtor

The 1960s saw an end to legal segregation. People of all racial and ethnic groups are able to attend the same schools, drink from the same water fountains, and live in the same neighborhoods. However, the reality is that in many communities de facto racial segregation still exists. This is especially so in places where people live and work.Any review of America's metropolitan areas shows that African-Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans and other minorities tend to live outside predominantly white communities. The situation often reflects decisions made by individuals belonging to specific racial groups to live in non-racially-mixed communities. It can also reflect continuing discrimination in the nation's housing markets.
If current demographic trends continue, the racial and ethnic mix of America is going to become even more diverse. The challenge ahead is to ensure that neighborhoods and communities reflect these trends, and that all people regardless of race or color, national origin, gender, with our without disability and regardless of familial status, have freedom to choose the home and neighborhood of their choice. Fair Housing activities, whether through enforcement, education, voluntary programs or a combination of these, respond to a dream unrealized and the vision of a housing market free from discrimination.
HUD and NAR entered into their first Voluntary Affirmative Agreement in 1975, and after several revisions and renewals, the VAMA expired in December of 1996. The VAMA sought to encourage individual real estate firms to take appropriate steps to ensure that their agents followed the fair housing law. The VAMA also encouraged Realtors and real estate firms to support the "spirit of the fair housing law" through a variety of equal housing opportunity programs including outreach, advertising, equal employment practices, safeguards against racial steering and other steps, that helped housing to be marketed on an equal opportunity basis.
As successful and well intended as the VAMA was, it often placed process ahead of results and often worked against its objective of affirmatively furthering fair housing. The VAMA required endless reports and records on the status of member Realtor firms to a degree that left many important fair housing issues unaddressed.
Fair housing is more than a list of do's and don'ts, rights and penalties, and mandatory continuing education. As stewards of the right to own, use and transfer private property, fair housing protects our livelihood and business as REALTORS and depends on a free, open market that embraces equal opportunity.
REALTORS recognize the significance of the Fair Housing Act and reconfirm their commitment to upholding fair housing law as well as their commitment to offering equal professional service to all in their search for real property. NAR's Fair Housing Action Plan, abbreviated "ACT," emphasizes (A)ccountability, (C)ulture Change, and (T)raining in order to ensure America's 1.4 million REALTORS are doing everything possible to protect housing rights in America. On November 18, 2020, NAR launched Fairhaven.realtor - an innovative online simulation training, where agents work against the clock to sell homes in the fictional town of Fairhaven, while confronting discrimination in the homebuying process. During the training, learners also walk in the shoes of a homebuyer facing discrimination. The training provides customized feedback that learners can apply to daily business interactions.