Senator Rubio Bill Targets Bias Against People of Color In Housing Practices

SACRAMENTO, CA – Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) has introduced a bill that will help correct generations of bias against people of color in housing practices by requiring real estate professionals to take implicit bias training to keep their license.

Senate Bill 263 adds a 2-hour course on implicit bias training for real estate licenses. The bill requires that the training include actionable steps that licensees can take to recognize and address their own implicit biases and also requires licensees to participate in an interactive training component where they can experience role play situations as both a consumer and a licensee.

“As the representative of a large minority community, I know how systemic racism and biases can make it even more difficult for a family trying to achieve the American Dream of homeownership,” Sen. Rubio said. “In California, the homeownership gap for people color is increasing and needs to be closed. This bill is an important step toward ending the disparity.”

“We applaud Senator Rubio for her leadership in introducing this important bill,” said California Association of Realtors President Dave Walsh. “Education and training, especially to prevent implicit bias and discrimination in housing, is a crucial way to support real estate professionals who are trusted advisors and guides in the homebuying process.”

Recent studies have confirmed the racial and ethnic disparity in homeownership in California. A 2020 report by the Greenlining Institute found the Black homeownership rate and Latino homeownership rate in California were far lower than the state’s overall homeownership rate. And a 2018 study by the Brookings Institution found that similar homes in neighborhoods with similar amenities in California were appraised at a significantly lower value if they were located in Black-majority neighborhoods.

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Media contact: Edward Barrera, edward.barrera@sen.ca.gov