RE/MAX has launched an alliance with the National Association of Real Estate Brokers to help grow homeownership among minority groups.

NAREB is the latest addition to the RE/MAX Strategic Alliances program, which works with organizations that share RE/MAX’s vision of expanding homeownership to all, according to a press release. The program also includes the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals and the Asian Real Estate Association of America.

The NAREB’s goal is to increase awareness of the barriers to homeownership minorities face, while also providing solutions to those challenges, according to NAREB President-Elect Lydia Pope in a press release issued Tuesday. 

“Ensuring that homeownership is accessible to everyone, regardless of background, is at the core of the RE/MAX culture,” said Mike Reagan, RE/MAX senior vice president of Industry Relations and Global Growth & Development in the same press release. “NAREB strives to open doors to the underserved, and our values could not be more aligned with that mission. This new relationship will further empower RE/MAX affiliates to serve a greater number of homebuyers and sellers.” 

With this relationship, RE/MAX will be a Gold Level Sponsor of the annual NAREB Mid-Winter Conference, as well as have a brand presence at upcoming NAREB industry events. RE/MAX affiliates will also have access to NAREB training and development opportunities. 

The release cites U.S. Census Bureau data that found in 2020, the Black homeownership rate was only 42.1%, compared to the national average of 66%. The NAREB training and development opportunities will equip RE/MAX agents with the tools and resources they need to address the unique challenges facing the Black community when it comes to real estate, according to the release. 

During a recent appearance on the Start With a Win Podcast, Pope said her organization’s goal is to “educate our members so they can speak to others,” according to the release. She went on to say, “It doesn’t matter what happens at the top. What’s important is how you bring it down to the grassroots of your membership and how they articulate and provide that service to where they live, where they work, where they do their business.”