As the Voice for Real Estate in Chicago, we have an obligation to be engaged in the conversations surrounding the very real issues regarding race and our industry.
This summer, our executive team, led by President Maurice Hampton and including President-Elect Nykea Pippion McGriff, Treasurer Antje Gehrken, Immediate Past President Tommy Choi, Director Marty Walsh, and myself, collaborated on an industry call for action that was approved by the Board of Directors and published on our website and Chicago Agent Magazine. We also adapted this into a consumer-facing op-ed for the Chicago Tribune. You can read our letter here.
Our history with race and fair housing is complex. Historically, we’ve played a prevalent role in promoting discriminatory practices in housing, a role we apologized for in 2018, and continue to regret. But we’re not just putting in lip service — we know there is work to be done.
We know fair housing violations are still happening — we hear about them from you all the time. We see a lack of Black representation in brokerage leadership where Blacks aren’t broker-owners. Properties continue to be undervalued and overtaxed in Black communities, while their rates remain higher than those given to white borrowers. The Black homeownership rates remain low — pretty much on par with what it was in 1968.
These are just a few examples of the areas in which there is work to be done, and we are committed to doing the work with you. Today’s climate is ripe for change. Race, equity and inclusion is an important topic — and people are listening.
We’re in the process of creating additional training on fair housing and bias — but in the meantime, there are many resources that can help you. Check out our recently redesigned Fair Housing hub at ChicagoREALTOR.com/fairhousing — this is a great starting point to educate yourself using the (free) tools available to you as a Chicago REALTOR®. CAR has the ability to make real change in our communities and our industry. We can directly help make Chicago, a city that I love, even better. We hope you’ll join us as we work to be part of the solution.
Michelle Mills Clement
Chief Executive Officer
Chicago Association of REALTORS®