The Board of Directors of the Long Island Board of REALTORS® (LIBOR) voted yesterday to initiate the process of reviewing whether any REALTORS® named in a recent Newsday story had violated the fair housing provision of the National Association of REALTORS®’s (NAR) Code of Ethics.

Under Article 10 of the NAR Code of Ethics, which expands upon federal fair housing policy, REALTORS® pledge that they “shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”

At its November Board of Directors meeting, the LIBOR Board charged its Grievance Committee with conducting an investigation into the alleged fair housing violations documented by Newsday.

Yesterday’s vote is the latest in a series of steps LIBOR leaders have taken in recent weeks to ensure the association is upholding its commitment to fair housing. In addition to reviewing the circumstances documented in the Newsday story, LIBOR recently launched an audit of its fair housing training to enhance delivery of instruction. LIBOR is also engaged in conversations with community fair housing groups and other stakeholders.

Fair housing is a pillar of LIBOR’s work. The association works at the state and local levels to ensure that fair housing policies are protected and strengthened, and LIBOR leaders fully support and cooperate with state and local programs that use qualified and trained field testers to ensure all real estate agents are following the law when it comes to fair housing practices.

LIBOR will continue to reinforce that ensuring fair access to housing choice isn’t just the law, it’s the right thing to do.

If you have any questions or comments on this issue, please contact us at fairhousing@lirealtor.com.