Fair housing is one of real estate’s most sacred principles. But there’s a missing piece no one wants to talk about — because it makes people squirm. Until we say it out loud, millions of Americans will keep paying the price. Let’s say it.
Leigh Thomas Brown from Bricks and Grit | Substack | Aug 18
Organized real estate loves to talk about fair housing. The Fair Housing Act, passed in 1968 and expanded over the years, was designed to protect people from discrimination when buying, renting, or financing a home — based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.
At its core, it’s right. A common sense issue of agreement-yay! No citizen should be blocked from the pathway to the American Dream. Not everyone will take that path (or even want to) but the way should be clear and Realtors® and lenders should be of a mindset to make sure #EveryNeighborEveryZipCode gets the message and education to choose for themselves.
When most people hear “fair housing,” they think race, gender, sexual orientation. We’ve been trained to think of fair housing as a checklist of immutable characteristics instead of the pure opportunity of the American Dream. Let’s be honest-none of those items should be related at all to anyone’s housing choices or opportunities!
But here’s what almost no one talks about: safe neighborhoods are a fundamental part of fair housing.
Safe means you can go for a run without looking over your shoulder.
Safe means kids can play outside without a parent stationed on the porch as lookout.
Safe means you don’t have to tape a “please don’t smash my windows again” note to your car.
Seems basic, right? Yet in too many communities, it’s not.
Take DC’s recent Home Rule situation: the federal government stepped in to restore order to a city drowning in crime. That’s not just about law and order. That’s fair housing in action.
Here’s the truth: if you want people to feel safe buying property, living in or owning rentals, and investing in their neighborhoods, criminals have to be caught and punished. Overlooking crime doesn’t make it fade. It makes it spread.
This move in DC? It gives me hope that we can and will restore order where needed. If the government has any role at all, it is one of protecting the citizens. We have GOT to stop prioritizing criminals over victims. For the record, I don’t see this as a partisan issue. It’s public health and safety and that should be something on which we stand united.
Every city has areas people call unsafe. Just check the data. Almost without exception, those areas are also the least expensive, whether in terms of purchasing or leasing. In a time of historic housing affordability challenges, that should make us furious.
A buyer shouldn’t have to choose between a price they can afford and a neighborhood they feel safe in. A seller should not feel that they MUST sell to find safe harbor, but then be priced out of a ‘better’ area. I just don’t agree that the word better must be associated with price point. Every community has value.
If we truly believe in the promise of fair housing, we have to promote public safety in all price points and in all neighborhoods.
This also means not shying away from data. In December 2021, Realtor.com removed the crime stats layer from its home searches. Ironically, they stated that they were removing this info in order to improve fair housing. Their statement included that they didn’t want crime stats to ‘reinforce racial inequity’. (then perhaps don’t assume that crime has anything to do with race?). And for heaven’s sake, can we all agree that EVERY citizen deserves safety and knowledge?
America is still the best place on earth to purchase property, which is for many, the only viable path to financial stability and future wealth. That opportunity won’t last if we fail to protect it from all sides.
Yes, that means saying the quiet part out loud: safe neighborhoods are not optional. They are essential.
Let’s keep the conversation going.
I write here because I believe leadership means telling the truth — even when it’s uncomfortable. If you want your audience leaning forward, laughing, and leaving with something to chew on, I’m your girl.
If you’re planning your next conference, leadership gathering, or community event:
Hire Leigh Brown to speak. I’m the voice your audience hasn’t met—and the one they’ll never forget.
Strategic leader, biz owner, keynote speaker & author helping professionals lead boldly, grow businesses, and serve with purpose. Faith-driven & fearlessly real.
