1999 Best Practices
Success Stories

Program Name:			Housing Council of Monroe County
Program Focus:			Fair Housing
Geographic Area:			New York/New Jersey
State:			Rochester
City:			New York

Executive Summary
In Rochester, New York, the Housing Council of Monroe County has teamed with the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors and the National Real Estate Association to take a stand against subtle forms of discrimination in the housing market. The three partners conducted extensive research on the types and frequency of discrimination and its effects on the community.

In developing a strategy for conducting the research, the team decided to evaluate the conduct and behavior of 100 realtors. As a result of the evaluations, realtors found to be conducting business in a discriminatory manner were ordered by the National Real Estate Association to attend a series of training sessions on avoiding discrimination. The purpose was not simply to administer a punishment, but to make realtors aware of what they are doing wrong.

The uniqueness of this "Best Practice" is the way in which the problem was addressed. The research, partially funded by the National Real Estate Association, enabled the industry to blow the whistle on its own members. One of the major benefits of this internal approach is that it allows the housing industry the opportunity to recognize its own faults and take responsibility for correcting the problems, rather than simply dealing with accusations from outside parties.

Realtors in Rochester are now beginning to understand that any unlawful discrimination based on ethnicity, language or religion will no longer be ignored. As a result of the new awareness, some realtor companies are currently establishing bilingual services. The Housing Council of Monroe County is not only identifying the bad guys, but also it has become the champion of change.

Partners: Greater Rochester Association of Realtors and the National Real Estate Association

Financing: National Real Estate Association and other private sources

Point of Contact:

Ann Preston, Phone: (716) 546-3700 x 3008 E-mail: Apeters@frontiernet.net