We Will Do Better
Many colors; one purpose
In these days of unrest and examination of our individual attitudes and experiences with race, and other forms of human diversity, how can we translate these personal and deep-rooted personal conversations into actionable items for change in our apartment communities? For a start, let us consider how we consider, participate in, and execute on fair housing practices in multifamily housing management. For too long, some real estate professionals have looked at fair housing standards, policies, and training from a check the box standpoint. Our industry can do better here. First, let the teaching of fair housing standards be less prescriptive. Let us use this training as a time to talk about the generational impacts of discrimination and poverty. Let us deep dive into practices that we employ to integrate people of color into communities. Take this time to talk about how access to capital and financing have impacted a family’s ability to build wealth. The Brookings Institution sums this up, “This history matters for contemporary inequality in part because its legacy is passed down generation-to-generation through unequal monetary inheritances which make up a great deal of current wealth.” Second, in our operations, let us change our mind set about testing (the practice where examiners test a real estate firm for employing fair housing standards) for discrimination. As professionals we shouldn’t view this as something of which we seek to avoid getting caught, in the way you might avoid getting caught speeding. Treating all as fair and equal should be the culture. Testing should be an affirmation for real estate professionals, not an alarm. Recognizing unfounded ideas and perceptions may exist, we must put upon ourselves to admit and combat this. In a nutshell, check yourself. And third, let us recognize that as providers of housing, we have the opportunity to be deeply connected with our residents. We are providing families where they celebrate holidays, rest after a long day, and come together with family and friends. Let us think of ways, particularly in our larger communities, where people are brought together to get to know one another. Our jobs are to provide communities that are open, welcoming and home … to all. Everyone must feel safe and secure in the place they call home. Real Estate managers must make sure people of color feel just that.
Some resources we have found to better educate our selves are these articles from The Urban Institute and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.: https://www.urban.org/features/exposing-housing-discrimination and https://www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr_edge_featd_article_081114.html