Advancing LGBTQ+ Equity & Equality in Homeownership
It’s no secret that Residential Mortgage Center is an avid supporter of the DMV’s LGBTQ+ community. We regularly discuss our sponsorship of the DC Gay Flag Football League, DC Pride Volleyball League, DC Gay Basketball League, Rogue Cornhole, and Rogue Pickleball. We personally support organizations like SMYAL, which provides local LGBTQ+ youth with housing, education, and mental health support.
Now, we are thrilled to announce that RMC is a member of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, a national nonprofit organization with the mission of “advocating for fair housing for all and promoting LGBTQ+ homeownership.”
“Sexual orientation” and “gender identity” are not protected characteristics under the Fair Housing Act, which means there is no consistent federal law prohibiting discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community in housing. Fortunately, Maryland, DC, and Virginia are among the states that have laws prohibiting housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
That said, there are 27 states where housing discrimination against members of the queer community is legal. Past studies by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that same-sex couples experience discrimination in the rental housing market as well as in mortgage lending. The rates of discrimination were even higher for transgender people. Therefore, it is no surprise that the rate of LGBTQ+ homeownership, 49%, is well below the 64% homeownership rate for the general population.
In light of these housing market inequalities, the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance was created in 2020 to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and promote queer homeownership. The Alliance’s vision is a “world free of housing discrimination.” We share the Alliance’s vision and commitment to the queer community, which is why RMC sponsors my membership in the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance.
Through our sponsorship of and involvement in the various leagues, we have already been fortunate enough to help many members of the queer community achieve homeownership. We hope that our participation in the Alliance will allow us to broaden our work with members of the community as we continue to work to bridge the gap in LGBTQ+ homeownership rates with the general population. We hope that our membership in the alliance further demonstrates our commitment to fair, inclusive lending and demonstrates to potential LGBTQ+ clients and allies that RMC serves everyone with respect, fairness, and integrity.
