{"id":14051,"date":"2023-02-27T15:04:21","date_gmt":"2023-02-27T15:04:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/realtorparty.realtor\/?p=14051"},"modified":"2023-03-13T13:27:56","modified_gmt":"2023-03-13T13:27:56","slug":"santa-fe-realtors-promote-diverse-housing-options-in-housing-strapped-region-2-3-2-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-3-3-2-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-4-2-4-2-2-3-2-4-2-2-3-2-2-2-2-3-3-2-2-3-2-2-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/realtorparty.realtor\/homepage\/success-story\/har-hop0323","title":{"rendered":"Houston Association of REALTORS\u00ae Hosts Housing Symposium for Capacity REALTOR\u00ae Crowd"},"content":{"rendered":"

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When demand for a program you\u2019re offering exceeds more than double your expectation, you know you\u2019ve hit on a real need.\u00a0 That\u2019s what the Houston Association of REALTORS\u00ae<\/sup> discovered last fall, when its first-ever housing symposium swelled to accommodate twice the anticipated number of attendees. \u00a0HAR is now looking to help other REALTOR\u00ae<\/sup> organizations replicate its success in bringing together industry experts to help members recognize and navigate solutions to housing-affordability barriers.<\/p>\n

Amber Burton Alfred, HAR\u2019s Director of Governmental Affairs and Advocacy, explains that the region\u2019s housing supply was dealt a severe blow by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, and since then, the problem has been exacerbated by the steep increase in home values statewide, and another drastic drop in inventory. \u00a0The impetus to host an event that would provide members with practical information to help consumers with the challenges they\u2019ve been facing began with HAR\u2019s Governmental Affairs Advisory Group, she says.\u00a0 \u201cOur minority affiliate groups were sharing their reports with me, about the State of Latinx Housing, and the State of Black Housing; I shared them with our Governmental Affairs leadership, and we realized that our members didn\u2019t have all the information they needed.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t that anyone was against housing accessibility, but they just didn\u2019t know about the very real barriers that many would-be buyers were up against, or the various loans and programs that were available to help them.\u201d<\/p>\n

With support from the grant, Alfred put together a day-long program featuring experts from across the housing industry, non-profit sector, and municipal offices offering four lively panel discussions: Affordable Housing, Fair Housing, and Barriers to Homeownership; Lack of Inventory, Supply Chain Issues, Oh My!; Credit Worthiness, Getting a Home Loan; and Collaboration is Key: Let\u2019s fix this together. \u00a0The City of Houston\u2019s Housing Director and the City Council\u2019s Chair of Housing and Community Affairs shared responsibility for the keynote address, which they delivered during the catered lunch hour.<\/p>\n

HAR had expected the event would draw about 150 members, but as registration kept climbing, they expanded the hotel ballroom venue to accommodate twice as many.\u00a0 Alfred worked with HAR\u2019s Director of Professional Development Rita Klein Blevins to ensure that it was a robust educational experience for members, who received three hours of TRCE credit for participating.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew we\u2019d put together a compelling and informative program,\u201d says Alfred, \u201cbut I had not expected the emotional reaction. \u00a0After the panel on loan programs, REALTOR\u00ae <\/sup>members came up to me crying, saying, \u2018I am eligible for some of these assistance programs!\u2019\u201d\u00a0 Most are income-and credit-based, she explains, noting, \u201cThe thresholds are higher than you\u2019d expect, and the assistance can be life-changing.\u201d \u00a0By way of example, she points out that the Houston Community Land Trust will provide qualified applicants with $100K credit toward a $300K home, allowing them to come to the table with just $1,000 in earnest money.\u00a0 \u201cThis is how you build wealth, and intergenerational legacies.\u00a0 As a Black woman, I\u2019ve had many conversations with others who understand the need to overcome the barriers that have stood in the way of this kind of security for so long.\u00a0 These programs are empowering members to help their clients, and possibly, themselves.\u00a0 By teaching our REALTORS\u00ae<\/sup>, HAR is an important part of the solution,\u201d asserts Alfred.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen housing comes up,\u201d she continues, \u201cthe City of Houston understands that the REALTORS\u00ae<\/sup> need to be at the table; they know we\u2019re their best resource for expertise and practical support \u2013 like this symposium.\u201d<\/p>\n

HAR is sharing its experience with other REALTOR\u00ae<\/sup> associations who have heard about the symposium and Alfred is seeking ways to replicate it at various scales. \u00a0\u201cWe would be glad for this to become a national conversation,\u201d she says. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s so important!\u00a0 Kids just out of college, and the working poor \u2013 they just can\u2019t find low-cost housing.\u00a0 As housing professionals, REALTORS\u00ae<\/sup> need to learn all the ways they can help.\u201d<\/p>\n

To learn more about how HAR is helping members become experts on housing affordability and accessibility, contact Director of Governmental Affairs and Advocacy Amber Burton Alfred at\u00a0amber.burton@har.com<\/a> or 832.326.7765.<\/p>\n

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