Special to Realty-Builder Connection
In 1995, the National Association of Home Builders entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to promote fair and equal homeownership opportunities.
The agreement set forth actions that both parties agreed to undertake, continue or facilitate. The two entities agreed to work together to provide support and technical assistance to each other and to NAHB signatories.
The Voluntary Affirmative Marketing Agreement (VAMA) is a template for builders to show their support of fair housing for all.
“The document is strictly voluntary in terms of signatures,” said Nick Shelley, HUD’s Jacksonville field office director. “The nature of the agreement is not to act as a hammer, but rather it is a form of expression that the signer joins a community of interest relative to the principles of fair housing.”
Signing such an agreement indicates a commitment to further fair housing and to abide by the laws governing housing practices.
Bill Jackman will be teaching a three-hour CEU course on VAMA Nov. 18. Michael G. Figgins, executive director, and Maria Aguila, attorney, from the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid office will be guest speakers.
“All builders need to send a representative,” Jackman said. “To comply with VAMA, builders and sales agents need to participate in an on-going fair housing training and education class.”
Shelley said VAMA is for individuals who want to make sure that fair housing is the banner under which they fly their flag. Shelley suggests those involved in construction, development, sales and marketing and mortgage lending need to be kept up-to-date on fair housing and VAMA.
Shelley also indicated that signatories receive reap other benefits.
“Individuals who sign the agreement receive training on fair housing issues and requirements,” he said. “And by making a public commitment to fair house, they have the right to display and use the logo in their advertising.”
The Fair Housing Act Workshop (Course 0000937-0004532) will be offered 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Nov. 18, at NEFBA offices, 103 Century 21 Drive, Suite 100. The three-hour CEU course is $30. To register and for more information, call Elizabeth Hill at 725-4355 or e-mail [email protected].
Fair housing quiz
Can you answer these true/false questions about Federal fair housing laws? These topics and more will be covered in the Fair Housing Workshop at NEFBA:
1. Under federal law, it is legal for an apartment building owner to assign families with younger children to one particular building?
2. An apartment building owner has the right to reject an applicant because of poor housekeeping habits.
3. Not allowing the construction of a wheelchair ramp on the apartment builder owner’s property is permissible, even if the tenant agrees to remove it at his/her own expense upon leaving.
4. Under Federal law, indicating a preference based on religion in advertising an available apartment is perfectly legal.
5. An apartment building owner may legally reject an applicant with a history of mental illness, though he or she is not a danger to others.
6. A rental application may be rejected by the landlord because of the applicant’s religion.
7. When using a real estate agent, a family may sell their house only to a white buyer.
8. A real estate agent is allowed to limit a home search to certain neighborhoods based on the client’s race/ethnicity.
9. A loan officer may turn down an African American applicant because of the applicant’s lack of steady job and income.
10. It is legal for a loan officer to require higher down payments from Hispanic families in order to get a mortgage.
Answers:
1. False.
2. True.
3. False.
4. False.
5. False.
6. False.
7. False.
8. False.
9. True.
10. False.