Mayor declares April Fair Housing Month in Oklahoma City

As new homes continue to line many Oklahoma City streets, City Council does its part to make sure fair housing practices are taking place. 

On March 26, the Oklahoma City Council, along with Mayor David Holt, declared the month of April as Fair Housing Month. The proclamation affirms the importance of fighting discrimination and segregation.  

“We should always be doing it. It shouldn't be just like just an event, a monthly thing. it's actually a daily thing for realtors,” said Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of Realtors (OKCMAR) President Vanessa Johnson.  

Johnson says sometimes the realtor plays into the bias of the client when they should remain neutral.    

“There's some as blatant as, I don't want to live near black people; I don't want to live near brown people; I don't want my children to attend an interracial school. There are some that are that blatant,” added Johnson.  

She says the job of a realtor is to do the sale without discriminating.

In 1968, the Federal Fair Housing Act was put in place to fight against discrimination and segregation related to housing.  In 1974, it was amended to add women, and in 1988 they made another amendment was made to add people with disabilities.

Johnson says realtors sign a code of ethics, but she adds it is the community they rely on to help monitor realtors. 

“We have a judicial system that will solve it but we also have a way for people to make complaints if they feel like they're being imposed upon,” said Johnson.   

The organization director, Gary Jones, says realtors have required classes they have to take.

“Those programs provide opportunities for realtors to become better informed about how they can ensure that they are conducting transactions in a fair and equitable way,” said Jones.  

Johnson encourages anyone who has a complaint or feels they have been discriminated against, to contact the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission.