During Black History Month, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) celebrates the Ohio Realtist® Association.
After World War II, African Americans made strides with better paying jobs among other advancements, and the U.S. Supreme Court passed a ruling that restrictive covenants and private agreements excluding persons based on their race from property ownership were not enforceable under the law.
However, much still needed to be done to bring about racial equality in the United States. For instance, schools were still segregated under the "separate but equal" doctrine, and equal housing had not yet become a reality. On the evening of July 29, 1947, in Tampa, Florida, instances such as these drove 11 men and one woman representing seven states to form the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc.® (NAREB®) to fight for equality and justice, including equal and adequate housing opportunities for all without limitations or restrictions. Horace Sudduth from Cincinnati, Ohio, not only attended the meeting but also became the temporary first vice president for the NAREB®.
NAREB® members are referred to as Realtists®. Although it is mostly comprised of African American and other minority real estate professionals, the Realtist® organization is integrated, and membership is open to all qualified practitioners who pledge themselves to the Realtist® creed of "democracy in housing." The mission of the Realtists® consists of two goals:
- Serve the underserved.
- Develop creative methods of rendering such services.
The Ohio Realtist® Association was formed in 1952 and is now comprised of the following seven local chapters:
- Akron Realtist® Association
- Greater Cleveland Realtist® Association
- Greater Cincinnati Realtist® Association (established in 1964)
- Columbus Realtist® Association
- Greater Dayton Realtist® Association (CRA)
- Greater Toledo Realtist® Association
- Youngstown-Warren Realtist® Association
OHFA is dedicated to increasing minority homeownership through partnerships with organizations, such as the Realists®. For more information on state and local chapters of the NAREB®, visit the Ohio Realtist® Association.
For more information on OHFA's programs for first-time homebuyers, visit myohiohome.org.
