{"id":21165,"date":"2022-10-17T12:27:33","date_gmt":"2022-10-17T12:27:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/?p=21165"},"modified":"2022-10-17T12:27:34","modified_gmt":"2022-10-17T12:27:34","slug":"minneapolis-association-apologizes-for-past-discrimination-vows-corrective-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/minneapolis-association-apologizes-for-past-discrimination-vows-corrective-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Minneapolis Association Apologizes for Past Discrimination, Vows Corrective Action"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Minneapolis Association Apologizes for Past Discrimination, Vows Corrective Action<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Promising to work harder for housing equity, the Minneapolis Area REALTORS\u00ae\u2014which once supported racial covenants and denied membership to Blacks\u2014issued a public apology for its historical role in perpetuating the homeownership gap in the Twin Cities. Now the association has a plan of action to help level the playing field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Minneapolis Area REALTORS\u00ae issued a public apology(link is external)<\/a> Wednesday for its past discriminatory practices, acknowledging that they resulted in unequal access to housing. Minneapolis has one of the widest racial gaps in homeownership in the country, and the association vowed to take four specific steps to remove future barriers to housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur apology and efforts to engage in policy change are overdue and are important steps for us because of the deep and lasting impact our actions have had on people of color in Minnesota, especially Black Minnesotans,\u201d MAR president Denise Mazone said at a press conference Wednesday. \u201cNot only do we regret the industry\u2019s role in that but we also know we must do something to change that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Black homeownership rate in Minnesota is more than 50% lower than that of Whites, according to MAR data. MAR CEO Carrie Chang said the association\u2019s past policies, including supporting discriminatory property covenants and excluding Black members, helped to perpetuate housing inequality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better education for MAR members is part of the association\u2019s goal to effect positive change in the future, said Jackie Berry, board director and chair of the association\u2019s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. \u201cWe clearly have not done enough to rid the real estate industry of the systemic issues that are preventing us from staying true to our commitment to fair housing for all,\u201d Berry added. \u201cAs both a REALTOR\u00ae and a real estate instructor, I have seen firsthand the lack of awareness around the tremendous housing disparities we have today, and I strongly believe education is a crucial piece of the solution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MAR\u2019s Board of Directors issued the following corrective policy changes, saying the association hopes to partner with other REALTOR\u00ae associations to spark greater change throughout the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n