10/3/01: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Responds to Increase in Hate Crimes Targeting Muslims, Arabs and South Asians

After the September 11 terrorist attack on the United States, incidents of harassment of Muslims, Arabs and South Asians in the United States increased. Harassment and intimidation have included murder, assault and the burning of homes. Housing related harassment and intimidation is a violation of the Fair Housing Act and is also subject to federal criminal prosecution. This week, NAR President Richard Mendenhall wrote to each state and local association executive, stating that "it is critically important not to let hatred and prejudice color our national unity and resolve. ... As leaders in our communities, I ask you to take immediate steps to remind our fellow citizens and REALTORS of our national values of unity, tolerance and individual rights. Freedom and fear are at war!" Included with his letter is a set of two booklets produced by CommUNITY 2000 entitled "Fight Hate." These booklets are designed to help community leaders prevent and respond to housing related hate crimes and community tensions and include a step-by-step response to housing related hate activity, with an extensive list of contacts and resources. CommUNITY 2000 is a project of the Leadership Conference Education Fund and the National Fair Housing Alliance. Copies of the booklets will also be available at the Equal Opportunity and Cultural Diversity Forum at the Annual Convention in Chicago.

9/12/01: HOPE Award Winners Announced

Six organizations and one individual will receive the first HOPE Awards (Home Ownership Participation for Everyone), which recognize outstanding contributions in minority homeownership, at a gala dinner at the National Building Museum and a symposium at the National Press Club in Washington on Oct. 10. Each of the award winners will receive a $10,000 honorarium. The 2001 HOPE Award winners are: California Capital Companies, Ontario, Calif.; Home Loan Counseling Center/Sacramento, Sacramento, Calif.; Self Help Credit Union, Durham, N.C.; Northeast Florida Builders Association, Jacksonville, Fla.; Greater Baltimore Board of REALTORS, Lutherville, Md.; Vincent Quayle, St. Ambrose Center, Baltimore, Md.; ARK Communication, Millbrae, Calif. Winners were selected on the basis of impact, innovation, minority focus, contributions to affordable housing and minority acceptance.

7/24/01: PrivateMI Industry Launches Spanish-Language Web Site To Boost Hispanic Homeownership

The private mortgage insurance (PrivateMI) industry today launched a new, Spanish-language version of the popular www.PrivateMI.com. PrivateMI en Espanol, www.PrivateMI.com/enEspanol, will provide clear, easy-to-understand information in Spanish about private mortgage insurance (PrivateMI) and how it compares with other home financing options.

www.PrivateMI.com/enEspanol will include five calculators to help consumers make informed decisions about home financing. One calculator allows prospective home buyers to determine how much sooner they can buy a home using PrivateMI rather than saving for a larger downpayment. A second lets them assess how much more house they can buy with its help. Others assist consumers in comparing PrivateMI with other financing options like the piggyback loan, and calculating how soon PrivateMI can be canceled.

With a goal of increasing African American homeownership levels by 1 million families by 2005, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation launched the With Ownership, Wealth (WOW) initiative in April. California is among 22 states and territories where the program has been launched.

To meet its objectives, the WOW initiative will include homeownership fairs; African American radio and newspaper media campaigns; community-based partnerships that involve various parties; seminars for potential homebuyers; one-on-one credit counseling service; access to city and state funds for downpayment and closing cost assistance; and in-depth information about the best mortgage financing options available through participating lenders and their affiliates.

Founding partners include NAR, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, National Urban League, Cendant, the American Bankers Association, the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, and other housing industry organizations, including leading brokerage franchises and lenders. Log on to www.wowcbcf.org for more information.