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Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs bill protecting homebuyers from discrimination

Kristian Grant for State Representative website
Rep. Kristian Grant, (D-Grand Rapids)

Grand Rapids State Representative who sponsored bill says it addresses historically impacted Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities.

Michigan’s Statewide Housing Plan released in 2022 reveals that the average home sales price from January 2013 to October 2021 increased 84%. The housing market is competitive.

“But it can be increasingly so for certain parts of the population.”

State Representative Kristian Grant is addressing discriminatory housing practices that have historically impacted Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities.

“Having access to homeownership is really the basis of how Americans build wealth and build stability.”

Recently, the National Association of Realtors enacted a requirement that member realtors complete two hours of fair housing training every three years. The Grand Rapids Democrat and House Bill 4717 takes that training one step further for real estate licensees and property association managers.

“What this bill does is ensure that each time they renew their license they have had to spend one credit hour a year on learning updated and new fair housing law.”

Grant says the bill is crafted to aid in the elimination of barriers and provide access to opportunities.

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.