Realty Austin Confronts the History & Legacy of Housing Discrimination
At Realty Austin, one of our core organizational values is creating an inclusive and collaborative space where everyone feels valued and respected. And a key part of upholding this core value means confronting the historical and systemic injustices that have too often excluded communities of color — as well as many other marginalized communities — from homeownership and the real estate industry as a whole.
In the wake of renewed calls for racial justice — following the deaths of Ahmad Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd —our team felt compelled to dig deep and unpack the implicit biases and structural challenges that have long impacted our community.
“It was as necessary as it was right for us to do this work,” says Realty Austin Co-Founder and Chief Culture Officer Yvette Flores “We’re extremely proud of our diversity and it is one of the core strengths we possess as a company.”
Over the course of the past year, with the help of the team at Full Humanity Consulting, Realty Austin’s agents — along with its Administrative and Leadership teams — completed a series of experiential workshops and in-depth training exercises. Throughout these trainings, our team unpacked a host of complex topics, such as microaggressions, intersectionality, and the legacy of housing discrimination.
“We’re so grateful to our agents and staff for being on this journey with us,” Flores went on to say. “I’ve heard from so many of colleagues just how eye-opening and transformational these conversations have been. However, we all know that these issues are multilayered and that no single training exercise or conversation will undo the impact that systemic injustice has had on marginalized communities. We have to do more…and I’m so grateful to this amazing team for their steadfast commitment to doing the work.”
Another key part of our work in building a more inclusive community has been our work to address the affordable housing crisis in Austin. In 2021, Realty Austin agents and staff donated over $817,000 and volunteered more than 2000 hours to build and repair homes and support nonprofits working across Central Texas on behalf of children, seniors, adults with disabilities, LGBTQ+ youth, and veterans.
“Our success as an organization is deeply rooted in this community,” Flores says, “so it’s vital that we give back and that we honor and uplift the unique people who make it the special place that it is.”
OUR AUSTIN PLEDGE
A call for community building, neighborliness, and love. We will uplift our neighbors in need by partnering with organizations that provide affordable and supportive housing solutions.
Realty Austin believes that everyone deserves to have a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why we partner with organizations like Foundation Communities, Austin Habitat for Humanity, Community First! Village, the SAFE Alliance, and Central Texas Table of Grace.
To learn more about our partners and their impact on the community, visit ouraustinpledge.com.
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