NAR Unveils New Housing Opportunity Program To Battle Crisis

5/18/2002

From: Annemarie Roketenetz of the National Association of Realtors(r), 202-383-7560; aroketenetz@realtors.org

WASHINGTON, May 18 -- The National Association of Realtors(r) today unveiled a new Housing Opportunity Program designed to promote and improve the availability and affordability of housing in response to the current housing needs crisis facing communities across the country. The announcement was made during the Board of Directors meeting here at the Association's Midyear Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo. More than 7,000 Realtors(r) and guests are attending the May 14-18 meetings.

"NAR has an obligation to position itself as the catalyst in promoting ideas and solutions on housing availability. Housing affordability in the rental, sales and development areas remains a serious issue in communities throughout the nation. We have created a program that will serve as a blue print for our Realtors(r) to become leaders in identifying, developing, advocating and promoting business opportunities, programs, products and resources that expand housing availability and ensure an adequate supply of housing opportunities in both the rental and homeownership sectors of the market for all," NAR President Martin Edwards Jr., said.

The program, which includes six components, is structured around the recommendations of a special Presidential Advisory Group appointed by Edwards earlier this year. The PAG found that the lack of available and affordable housing is reflected in several ways including access to employment, education, a good environment and safe neighborhoods. Lack of affordable housing also impacts all segments of the real estate market including first-time purchasers, low-income, minorities, seniors, disabled, renters and single-family buyers, as well as rental property owners and developers. The new program will officially kick-off at NAR's Annual Conference and Trade Expo in November in New Orleans. The kick-off will include a special housing opportunity session, the presentation of new research and the launch of a "living" Web page currently under construction.

"We are so excited about this program especially because it will bring so many of the vital players in the housing industry together to find viable solutions to this issue that faces all segments of the market," PeggyAnn McConnochie, a Realtor(r) from Juneau, Alaska, and chair of the PAG said. "There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come. And the time has surely come for this program," McConnochie added.

According to McConnochie, the six components of the plan are: Research and data gathering activities will provide survey research, original research and analysis to assist with developing and providing new or enhanced tools for Realtors(r) to use to better understand housing concerns in their community.

Training and business development resources will educate members about counseling housing consumers or on how to be the first point of contact for housing services both within the Realtor(r) family and among external sources. These resources will include a catalogue of available courses, recommended courses of study and training at NAR meetings.

Coalition building activities at the national, state and local levels will actively seek partnerships between Realtor(r) organizations and other groups to develop and advocate new approaches that make housing more affordable.

Legislative, regulatory and programmatic advocacy activities at the national, state and local levels will support policies that promote a safe, healthy and affordable housing and a viable housing finance system, as well as advocate programs that help stimulate affordable housing, improve access to all types of housing and close the homeownership gap.

Communication activities will include a national housing symposium hosted by NAR as well as similar regional symposiums to help raise the awareness of housing needs issues at the national, state and local level and to encourage Realtors(r) and other housing-related organizations to work together to find effective solutions to this issue.

NAR is currently developing a "living" Web page that will serve as a clearinghouse of programs and resources Realtors(r) and other housing-related groups can use to help promote housing opportunity in their communities. The Web page also will offer links to various federal, state and local housing assistance programs.

"The housing opportunity crisis is one that is well established and fed by an area's economic, demographic and regulatory characteristics. Most disheartening is the fact that this is an issue that will not go away on its own. Without reasonable housing opportunities families are stressed to the breaking point, neighborhoods decline, jobs go unfilled and the quality of life suffers for all of us," Edwards said.

"As Realtors(r), we are in the unique position to be the best advocates and educators for, and promoters of, real solutions to today's critical housing needs. This effort not only requires input and cooperation from us, but also from state and local governments, businesses, charitable organizations, lenders and home builders, just to name a few. Realtors(r) can be the catalyst for change by making a commitment to address these issues -- a commitment that makes good business sense and ensures protection for each of our stakes in tomorrow," he added.

The National Association of Realtors(r), "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest professional association, representing more than 800,000 members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

--- Information about NAR is available at http://realtor.org. This and other news releases are posted in the Web site's "News Media" section under NAR News Releases. Statistical data and surveys may be found at http://realtor.org/research.