Fair housing leaders focus on improvements, relief

Discrimination has dwindled within the real estate and housing business, but experts say there's still room for improvement.

"I think we've come a long way," said Kim Kendrick, assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"Do we have further to go," she added. "Yes. Some people still just don't get it."

Kendrick's comments were made Wednesday during a Mainstreet Organization of Realtors event at Abbington Distinctive Banquets at Route 53 and Butterfield Road near Glen Ellyn.

As part of the event, which honored the 40th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, more than 150 attendees discussed the need to continue the fight for fair housing.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status and national origin.

Piero Orsi, president of the Northwest Chicagoland Association of Realtors, said Wednesday was an opportunity for many area Realtors to refresh themselves about fair housing.

"I see us in the near future just eliminating more and more of what should have never taken place anyway," he said.

Rose Diaz-Espinoza, a Realtor from Addison, attended the event to learn more about the issue.

"It's always good to be up to date with the law and important to learn what's correct and incorrect," she said.

Speakers also touched on the struggling real estate market and the recent increase in foreclosures.

Kay Wirth, president of Illinois Association of Realtors said there needs to be "stronger, more flexible foreclosure relief."

Kendrick said that since the FHASecure program was introduced last summer to help Americans facing foreclosure refinance into a safer loan, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of closings with FHA.

"By year's end, we expect FHA will be able to help more than 300,000 families refinance into affordable FHA-insured mortgages," she said. "FHA has made a significant and positive impact on the housing market."