Photograph by George Sakkestad
Alain Pinel agents Stefan Walker (left) and William Rippe (right) show a home to prospective buyers Ramtin Taheri and Foroozan Koushan. Their son, Arian, checks out the walk-in closet.
Doors open for all to seek the American Dream
By Jean Newton
Most Realtors don't have to think twice when asked whether fair housing and equal opportunity are issues of concern in the Silicon Valley. Due to the unique variety of cultures found here, discrimination in housing is a rare occurrence.
"I think we're lucky to live where we do-a true melting pot, where the discriminatory thinking that addles so many people is really not a part of the public thought process," said Realtor Stefan Walker of Alain Pinel Realtors in Los Gatos.
Equality is the watchword for Realtors. Diligent about keeping up to date on the requirements defined in the Fair Housing Act, they view their role as that of opening doors and providing equal opportunities and access for all citizens.
The Fair Housing Act, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended, prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap. The road to equality requires an understanding of a bit of history.
While the concept that all persons are entitled to equal protection under the law comes from the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, it wasn't until 1968 that Congress barred discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion or national origin. In 1974, Congress added discrimination based on sex to the list. Then, in a 1988 amendment, Congress prohibited discrimination against families with children and those with physical or mental disabilities, including hearing, mobility and visual impairments, chronic alcoholism, AIDS and mental illness.
Some Realtors believe that California, especially the Bay Area, is a step ahead of the rest of the nation when it comes to multicultural diversity. Joan Banks, an independent San Jose Realtor and member of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors, found this to be true when she attended a National Association of Realtors educational program, "At Home with Diversity: One America," developed in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The course is designed to equip real estate professionals with the tools to expand homeownership opportunities for the growing number of multicultural and minority buyers entering the housing market. Banks said multicultural diversity is not a problem for many Californians, whose neighbors usually come from diverse backgrounds, and in California, Realtors are more experienced in working with those from minority groups.
According to a diversity profile from the National Association of Realtors, the nation's homeownership rate has grown steadily since 1964 and is projected to grow over the next few years to become an even more important segment of the housing market. The U.S. Census Bureau found that minorities accounted for nearly 60 percent of the growth in new households since 1994, and will account for two-thirds of new households in the next century. The most recent figures available, from the year 2000, show the homeownership rate for African-American households at 47.8 percent, while homeownership by Hispanic households was at 45.7 percent. The homeownership rate for Asians was 52.8 percent, and 71.1 percent of whites were homeowners.
While homeownership has increased dramatically among minorities, there is still a disparity between rates for white, African-Americans, Hispanics and other minority groups. For low- and moderate-income families, as well as minorities, homeownership remains elusive, partly because of the inability to qualify for a mortgage or to save for a down payment. Soaring home prices are also a factor.
Mortgage Broker Jimmy Kang of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Burlingame said that people from different cultures do not approach credit, banking and mortgages the same way. Some people are inexperienced in dealing with banks, while others do not always understand the importance of maintaining good credit. However, when it comes to Silicon Valley, Kang believes this area offers the most equal opportunity for all. "All you need is money. People are colorblind to all colors except green," he said.
The bottom line is that Realtors in Silicon Valley are ethical, fair and very experienced in working with a diverse population, said Realtor Alicia Tuvell of Alain Pinel Realtors in Los Altos, president of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. "Our organization is committed to closing the minority gap by fostering equal opportunity and promoting fair housing for all."
In response to the minority gap and the need to increase affordable housing opportunities for everyone, the National Association of Realtors has established a new award program to recognize outstanding contributions to minority homeownership. Partnering with several other minority-based housing groups, the association has launched the HOPE Awards (Home Ownership Participation for Everyone), a national program developed to promote minority homeownership. The program recognizes up to seven organizations and individuals who are making outstanding contributions to the cause of increasing minority homeownership.
In addition, the National Association of Realtors and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are working together in a collaborative effort to promote fair housing. The association's research indicates that homeownership provides important social and economic benefits. For example, homeownership leads to increased involvement in the community, with homeowners taking the time to vote and volunteer their time for political and charitable causes more frequently than renters.
"Owning a home gives people a reason to care," said Tuvell. "Helping people attain the American Dream is a truly rewarding experience for those of us working in the real estate industry."
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
