Reports of Racial Steering by Local Real Estate Agents
Wonderful story in this week's Nassau Herald about allegations of racism and discrimination on the part of a local real estate agency. The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) and Long Island Housing Services claim that in an undercover sting operation, they uncovered discriminatory acts by local real-estate agents working for Julia Stevens Realty in Hewlett. Some examples:
More on this investigation's findings in Newsday:
During a June 21 press conference at the Five Towns Community Center in North Lawrence, NFHA president Shanna Smith outlined numerous examples of intolerance shown by Julia Stevens Realty agents, including steering African-American undercover agents posing as buyers to areas with large minority populations like Inwood and Valley Stream. Smith also said that during the undercover operation, which spanned from 2004 to this past January, whites were steered to homogenous white communities such as Hewlett, Lynbrook and East Rockaway. In addition, agents made negative comments abour Jews to both white and African-American testers and allegedly discouraged non-Jewish whites from considering neighborhoods with a large Jewish populations like Cedarhurst.Nice. I have no doubt that this type of steering of different buyers to different neighborhoods based on demographics is an age-old practice. But it's another thing entirely when you see these kinds of tactics uncovered.
...Smith said examples of racial-steering included agents making remarks to black testers about how great the Valley Stream and Malverne districts were (both enroll a large percentage of minority students), but to white prospective home buyers an agent from the company would say the opposite.
...NFHA officials said one example of anti-Semitism uncovered in their sting operation came when a female agent drove a white tester past her own home in Hewlett and pointed to a picture of Jesus that a relative had placed in the window, saying it was there to "show the Jews". The same agent later said it was good to have some Jews in the neighborhood, adding that "they have a lot of money and they would never sell their homes to blacks, thereby keeping the property values up,"...
More on this investigation's findings in Newsday:
Steering also occurred during checks on the agency's rental offerings, it said. For instance, white testers looking to rent a home were told that a price might be negotiable, while black testers were told there wasn't any room for negotiation, said Michelle Santantonio, the executive director of Long Island Housing Services, a fair housing organization in Bohemia.
posted by orthomom at 9:05 PM
42 Comments:
And the ostriches will still keep their heads in the sand and refuse to admit that there's anti-semitism and racism in the five towns.
Wait till the 5 Towns Jewish Times has their article... :)
and here's om with her cries of anti-Semitism. predictable.
im missing the point.
A real estate agent is there to make a living. If she showed a white buyer a home in a black neighborhood, the white buyer would find another real estate agent.
The real estate agent showing a black buyer a home, may of been told how much they want to spend. If the black buyer wanted to be convincing, he probably claimed a lower income.
Typically, inwood homes are cheaper than hewlett. The taxes are lower as well.
Ortho..i really think youre a hyprocrite.
I want to see how fast you would welcome african americans buying up the homes on your block. Please explain why you didnt buy a home in valley stream? Youre going to say you wanted to be near jews. How convienient. I bet you those jews who first moved out here, when it wasnt that religious, didnt say, because i want to be near frum jews. They did it because it was exclusive. No way they come here if it was mostly african american.
I also agree with the real estate agen t who said the jews keep the values up in a neighborhood. If i was a buyer, id want to know inside details like that.
I think the sting is bogus.
Now if a black buyer said, I want to pay premium dollars and live in hewlett, and they REFUSED to show him, that is racism.
Ortho..i really think youre a hyprocrite.
I want to see how fast you would welcome african americans buying up the homes on your block.
Anon...I really think you're a racist if that's how you feel.
im missing the point.
A real estate agent is there to make a living. If she showed a white buyer a home in a black neighborhood, the white buyer would find another real estate agent.
The real estate agent showing a black buyer a home, may of been told how much they want to spend. If the black buyer wanted to be convincing, he probably claimed a lower income.
There's a world of difference between being up front about the demographics of a community when asked by a potential buyer and the "racial steering" that is described in the article.
The attitude of "wouldn't you just be ever so much more comfortable on the other side of the tracks?" went out with 8-track tapes.
"Typically, inwood homes are cheaper than hewlett. The taxes are lower as well"
Of course, the taxes in Inwood are lower=-Lawrence School District has lower tax rate than Hewkett-Woodmere School Disrtrict
Thanks for update, neil funny!
I actually pointed out this issue 4 days ago in a cooment on the Ilana Yurkiewicz topic. While it is dahmeful that local reatilers do this, I do not think that brokers have racially excluded orthodox jews from the 5 Towns (even though it appears that some of the agents might have wanted to). The big story here is that this broker will probably be focred out of business for the racial steering, and even if they are not forced out of busiess, the fines and litigation will cripple this business. Good luck to former employees getting jobs elsewhere.
I do not think that brokers have racially excluded orthodox jews from the 5 Towns (even though it appears that some of the agents might have wanted to).
Well, I think the fact that the story points to discriminations against blacks and that agents made comments that could be construed as anti-Semitic certainly makes this story worthy of note - whether or not Orthodox Jews were steered out of the area.
The racism porteayed here is certainly bad enough on its own, without needing to see further discriminatory practices against other groups.
That being said, the truth of the matter is, although maybe not in this specific case, the brokers and sales agents are just trying to make a buck.
I agree, GG. But there are laws that govern discriminatory practices in the Real estate business. And even if the agents don't realize that they might be on the wrong side of the law, that does not excuse their actions.
Even if it's illegal, anyone who acts "Shocked! Shocked!" after hearing this story is either an idiot or lying about how they really feel.
White non-Jews WANT to live with White non-Jews.
And, yes -- mostly everyone hates the Jews.
My heart goes out to Black families that want to escape the almost universally prevalent higher rate of crime, violence, and disdain for education and professional advancement in Black communities.
They deserve to get away and are thwarted in their efforts due to the horrid behavior of others -- on both sides of the equation.
why would any non-frum people want to live in your community anyway? to be largely ignored by their neighbors and to be told that their children are not to play with yours? while not every frum family acts this way, you and I both know that it is quite prevalent.
I remember a story about exactly the same procedures of racial steering about 10 years ago in Long Island. But it's certainly not only a phenomenon there. At the time I was in the process of moving to Ithaca, NY, and I spoke to a real estate agent with the aim of finding an apartment to rent. She specifically said to me that I probably wouldn't want to look at apartments on a certain street because it was so "multicultural." I was baffled when I heard this terminology, but then was reminded of the article I had just read. Apparently "multicultural" was code for "black." I asked her if she was engaging in racial steering - by the way this was a phone conversation, so she had no idea what my race was - and she changed the subject. I don't think it's just a matter of real estate agents wanting to make money, since the money of black people is just as green as that of white people. I think they're letting their own prejudices get in the way of honestly showing people properties that they might be interested in. Not every white person is a racist who doesn't want to live next to black people.
My view is, anybody non-frum (black, white, green) who is crazy enough and rich enough to afford to buy in my crazily-inflated (out-of-town, btw) neighborhood is more than welcome to live here. (inflation in part due to the shuls). I want people who will keep up the property values in terms of socio-economic status. I don't care if they are Jewish or not. If they've got the benjamins to pay, they're welcome, and, chances are, will keep their houses nicer than the frum people do (admittedly, self included, but I'm working on it, really I am).
"i give rats tuchus if you dont agree"
"so get over it"
"i am sick and tired of people like you"
Geez. take it easy. don't be so defensive. I merely meant that I don't understand the whole controversy. shouldn't real estate brokers explain the local culture to prospective buyers? doing so doesn't make them anti-Semitic when they imply that because of said culture, they may want to look elsewhere.
mom
You avoided my question.
You can proclaim all you want about being a superior liberal jew, but tuches oifen tish, you would not want brokers showing your neighbors home to anyone other than nice comfortable frum yidden.
And I seem to be in agreement with goy above, the brokers are here to make a living. 9 out of 10 times a black or white person is not interested in spending 800k on a fixer upper to live with jews who wont be his friend.
It works out for you, but I guarentee if a broker took you to inwood to show you a house, you would be upset. YOu would find a broker who understands who you are looking to associate with.
How do real estate agents know that 9 out of 10 frum jews want to live in hewlett, woodmere, cedarhurst or lawrence?
Are they racists for assuming frum people want to live amongst frum people?
Listen, i feel for anyone who wants to live where they want. BUt i dont see evidence that brokers didnt ALLOW a black person to ask where they prefer to look.
Its clear the black testers played dumb. Playing dumb, gives the broker the right to assume the person would be more comfortable amongst people of similiar background and economics.
Remember, valley stream and inwood are not hot dens of crime. they are respectable neighborhoods, that are more affordable than hewlett. You can say all white or jewish buyers are racist.
they ASK to live amongst whites or jews.
We need to stop blaming everyone else, BUT ourselves.
The problem is not brokers. They perform a service. The problem is the disgusting white people like YOU who are looking for that service.
And this is why i like living in Upper Manhattan.
Although the quiet Shabbos streets in Boropark were a nice touch.
uh..anyone else think angry anon of 10:31 is projecting?
While I whole-heartedly agree that racial steering is disgusting and it goes against all that we are supposed to strive for as a nation, I have to ask you Orthomom, with all due respect, as I find this very perplexing, doesn't your own high level of observance, result in the EXACT opposite of that very idea?
Doesn't your "commitment" to following the laws of Judaism perpetuate segregation? Doesn't it help allow for an "us" and "them" evironment?
Imagine, for one minute, if EVERY religious/racial/ethnic group did just a few of these same practices that you adhere to OR if every group took it to the same extreme. Picture everyone eating in their "own" restaurants, marrying their "own" kind, sending their kids to school and camp with other kids that are "just like them".
Truthfully, how would this nation be?
Honestly? In my opinion? I would find it to be rather frightening.
I have friends AND family, truly across the board, that are fully integrated into my life. We can mourn and celebrate with each other with absolutely no restrictions whatsoever and our lives are enhanced because of it.
On the other hand, I have also seen the exact opposite, as I'm sure you are familiar with, where a close family member does not observe to the same extent as another.
The results? Quite sad, indeed.
All of this really makes me wonder; just how many potentially wonderful relationships were stunted or were never allowed to flourish in the name of religion?
'am I racist?'
Yes, you are.
You also make excuses for illegal activity.
'Doesn't your "commitment" to following the laws of Judaism perpetuate segregation?'
No.
Race is not a Jewish concept. I've shared meals with Jews whose ancestors came from Africa and Asia, who would be steered away by these real estate agents. Yet they are just as Jewish as those who come from Eastern Europe.
I live in a neighborhood that is mostly non-Jewish, and the Jews who do live here are mostly non-Orthodox. Yet we have six Orthodox synagogues that are full every Shabat, a mikveh, an elementary school, two high schools, an yeshiva, two kosher grocery stores, five kosher bakeries, and seven kosher restaurants. I don't see segregation as necessary or even desirable.
Its entirely possible to be religious and tolerant. I am, om seems to be, and I have mnay friends who are. They are certainly not mutually exclusive traits.
People are free to live where they desire...even better if they can afford it. I understand the desirability of being in a neighborhood that supports your ideals, i.e. shabbos observance, etc., but that doesn't mean that others should not be afforded the ability to live in such a neighborhood.
In response to 'am i a racist?': FYI, there are Jewish people living in VS. In fact there are eruvin, if anyone's been paying attention. With such issues as how young couples will be able to afford housing in the NY area (yes, those for whom mommy and tatty won't buy a house), neighborhoods nearby can suffice and walking to shul will be a little lengthier, but more cost effective.
All I can say is that you're all so close, yet so far. Do you realize that there is a shul in Rosedale and there are still Jewish people living there-- open your eyes to the world around you. [There are other communities like Rosedale around in this country- the real question is do you allow a shul to decay to the point of no return or do you bolster it and try to recreate it?]
FYI - North woodmere, which is one of the fastest growing frum neighborhoods, has proven that a frum neighborhood need not be exclusively frum (even in the five towns area). On any given block there can be a right wing frum family, a modern orthodoz family, an Africa American family, an Asian American family, etc.
It seems to work out okay as long as people are respectful of others. And, no, your kids don't hvae to play with the neighbor's kids - but they do learn to be nice and respectful to all people.
Fighting racial steering has been a losing battle in the NY real estate market for a long time.
The L.I. town where I grew up (not in the 5 Towns) had real estate agents steering Jews there in the 60's and 70's. At some point in the 90's they decided it was an black neighborhood and almost every new person moving in was black. If this was a natural change in demographics you'd expect the new home owners to be racially and religously diverse and not just a full switch to anther group.
This is tragic on many levels. Mainly because it creates a mentality of the "other" with the new vs. the old groups and discourages interaction.
The reason these laws exist is that real estate agents can and do control ethic make-ups of neighborhoods. If only it was easier to enforce these laws.
(And yes, there's nothing wrong with clusters of communities, but that should be based on common needs like wanting to be near synagogues or churches or cultural shopping areas and not because the agent tells different groups different things about the school system or the "quality of life"
I hear your response (Charlie Hall and Anon 1:00) but again, what if EVERY group lived their life in the same manner? Don't you think the country would have a completely different vibe? Is that something that we as a nation should strive for? Do you honestly feel that these practices, by sheer design, do not help perpetuate and promote segregation rather than integration? That truly deep and meaningful friendships and relationships could truly blossom under all that is restricted?
Heck, I live in Teaneck. I made the mistake of calling a realtor about a house on the wrong side of the trainline.
"Are you sure you want to live there? Most Jews buy houses on the other side."
This is up the block from Dougies and scores of other Kosher establishments and a stone's throw from a ton of shuls, not to mention next to the apartments all the Young Marrieds live in, but it's considered "out of the area".
Stupidity.
Anonon 1:56:
One cna be different without being segregated. I am a frum Jew, FFB in fact, who has friends who are gay, transgendered, black, white, asian, Christian, Muslim, and Athiest. The trick is celebrating our differences instead of using them as barriers.
My first real estate agent was terrible and I did not go back. Besides a price range, for which many types of housing met the bill, she never asked me about what I would like in a home. So, she just carted me around this particular neighborhood (very few frum Jews and no frum realtor) showing me all the things that made her heart skip a beat.
While I have never encounter racial steering, I think it is ridiculous for a real estate agent to not sit down and find out what the client is looking for before throwing in their 2 cents.
you dont know the half of it all those guys do that stuff
Dear "am I racist?"
You seem to making a lot of assumptions about other frum Jews, which might be mistaken. People might want to be near a shul AND want to live near a variety of other people. Are the two incompatible? I don't think so. The real estate agents may be assuming that frum Jews are racists - I think that's part of the *broker's* bigotry.
'cash only/fast closing/no blacks/only Jews/no Jews/etc'
And no reputable agent would accept such conditions. Any agent who did, and got caught, would lose his/her license -- that is exactly why we have these "testers". Unfortunately, they continue to be needed.
'If only it was easier to enforce these laws.'
Computerized multiple listing services probably did more for fair housing than all the fair housing laws combined. In most of the US, everyone knows what homes are on the market and what the asking prices are. Check out http://www.realtor.com for an example. Unfortunately, the New York area is the only part of the US where multiple listing is not universal.
Some of you are missing the point. It is not for the real estate agent to make assumptions about the people a buyer wishes to live near. It's implicitly racist to think that a white person only wants to live with other white people.
This isn't news--racism on Long Island (I'm a native) is alive and well. Integration? Not for us.
charlie_hall: in Nassau/Suffolk, MLS is standard (www.mlsli.com). Manhattan (and possibly the Bronx) is the last remaining area without it now that Brooklyn has opened an MLS system.
I am a 5 Towns realtor and I am constantly asked not to rent/sell to certain "minorities" and my reply is always the same, "It is illegal for me to discriminate, but you make the final call on who you rent/sell your property to."
Stop all the realtor bashing, please.
Check around first before you chose which real estate agency you go to. List down at least 3 best agencies and do a little research of their background.
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