Realtors throughout the nation are committed, under the "Many Neighborhoods—One America" effort to highlight the Fair Housing Law by addressing discrimination and supporting programs that educate the public about the right to equal housing opportunities.

Many Realtors do not see fair housing as an issue in the Bay Area due to the multi-cultural diversity found here and the level of knowledge and understanding about fair housing laws. Since Realtors are on the front line working with buyers and sellers, they view education as one of the most important tools to combat any fair housing issues.

Realtor John Gieseker of Prudential California Realty doesn't place any special emphasis on fair housing during April because he views it as a year round emphasis.

"Fair housing is so engrained into our consciousness that we focus on it 365 days a year. Housing should be offered to everyone without prejudice or bias, regardless of a person's personal circumstance. This is what makes the American dream so American," said Gieseker.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the sale and purchase of a home is one of the most significant events that will be experienced in a lifetime. It is more than the simple purchase of housing, since it also includes the hopes, dreams, aspirations, and economic destiny of those involved.

The home seller, buyer and the real estate professional all have rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Law. Under the law, a home seller or landlord cannot establish discriminatory terms or conditions in the purchase or rental, deny that housing is available, or advertise that the property is available only to persons of a certain race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

The homebuyer has the right to expect that housing will be available without discrimination or other limitations. The buyer should be able to look at housing in a desired price range without discrimination and have the opportunity to consider a broad range of housing choices. There should be equal professional service offered with no discrimination in financing, appraising or insuring of housing and non-discriminatory terms and conditions for the sales, rental, financing, or insuring of a dwelling. Further, buyers who exercise fair housing rights should be free from harassment or intimidation.

Real estate professionals are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of the Fair Housing Law and must provide equal professional service to prospective clients, customers or residents of any community. In addition, a request from the home seller or landlord to act in a discriminatory manner in a sale, lease or rental cannot legally be fulfilled by the real estate professional.

The National Association of Realtors has developed a Fair Housing Program to provide resources and guidance to Realtors in ensuring equal professional services for all people. The term "Realtor" identifies a licensed professional in real estate who is a member of the National Association of Realtors. Not all licensed real estate brokers and salesperson are members of the association. Those who are may identify themselves as Realtors and must conduct their business and activities in accordance with a strict Code of Ethics that upholds all the rules of the Fair Housing Law.

"There is no room in our profession for housing discrimination," said Judy Jarvis Ellis, a Realtor with Alain Pinel Realtors, who serves as president of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. "People have a right to live wherever they can afford to live and Realtors have an obligation to protect that right. Fair Housing Month in April allows us to increase public awareness about this important issue."

In addition to fair housing, Realtors are committed to providing homeownership opportunities for all. The Silicon Valley Association of Realtors has joined together with 40 other Northern California Realtor associations in a strategic alliance called the Northern California Housing Coalition to address the issue of affordable housing. The group plans to hold a summit in May to present opportunities for leaders in diverse industries and communities to exchange information and ideas.

"The lack of affordable housing in the Bay Area is reaching a critical stage. As Realtors we are actively doing something about it by investing both time and money," said Ellis.

Since land costs are so high in The Bay Area, Ellis said one option in keeping homes affordable is to help people, especially seniors, stay in their homes as long as possible. The Silicon Valley Association of Realtors conducts an annual program to help seniors with household tasks and repairs such as washing windows, cleaning gutters, turning mattresses, changing smoke detector batteries, strapping water heaters and performing other desired and necessary health and safety tasks.

Fair Housing Month in April shines the spotlight on non-discriminatory practices and encourages communities and organizations to work together to find solutions to equal housing opportunities for all.