Indiana Realtors Take a Stand Against Discrimination

Chrissie Cole

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The Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors is taking a stand against discrimination in housing, in Northwest Indiana, and says they will provide equal opportunity to anyone and everyone.

Discrimination complaints logged by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development increased 12% from last year to over 10,000 throughout the country. This is the highest increase since 1990, when the agency started tracking them.

The Realtors adopted a code on inclusiveness that was developed by the Race Relations Council of Northwest Indiana, which works to fight racism within the region.

Darren Washington, co-chairman of the council, says the two groups came together after a Lake County real estate agent last year distributed letters to north Merrillville homeowners suggesting they sell their properties because Gary planned to annex their neighborhoods. Gary and Merrillville officials complained, the agent was fired and the state Attorney General's Office suspended her license.