Last month, The Raleigh Association of REALTORS® invited Field Office Director, Lorenzo Claxton, to speak at their Fair Housing Event. Caitlin Humphreys, HUD Equal Opportunity Specialist, and Alyssa Rouse, HUD CPD Representative, participated in the event.

The Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS® - is one of the largest REALTORS® associations in North Carolina, with about 11,000 members representing all of Wake and Harnett County. Their mission is to empower their members’ success by engaging and delivering exceptional value. April marked the 55th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, the landmark civil rights legislation promoted by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968.

Director Claxton provided data on Fair Housing in North Carolina. Additionally, Claxton provided the members with information on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE), an interagency task force launched by the Biden-Harris Administration to combat bias in home appraisals. The task force includes 13 federal agencies and offices and is Co-Chaired by Marcia L. Fudge, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary.

The presentation ended with a call to action. Part of HUD’s strategic goals for this year is to increase the utilization rates of the Housing Choice Voucher Program by increasing landlord participation, retention, and satisfaction with the program. “As realtors, members can play an important role in discussing the benefits of the program with private landlords by helping HUD to reach its goal of 100% utilization rate in the state,” Director Claxton said.

Teresa Pitt, President of the Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS®, said, “Fair housing priorities are interwoven into the fabric and goals of Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS® strategic plan. Primary objectives are advocating for a better community that is vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive that supports shelter opportunities for all as well as creating partnerships and alliances with other organizations to unite those who support positive housing policies. April’s Fair Housing event was a wonderful educational opportunity for our members in attendance, offering exceptional and timely information and solutions on how to better serve our community by partnering with and utilizing the services of HUD as an additional resource to housing options and economic development.”

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