Center for REALTOR® Development NAR Grants, Tools, and Resources for State and Local REALTOR® Associations To Turn Ideas into Actions with Christine Windle: Part 2
Welcome to the Center for REALTOR® Development podcast, the podcast for REALTORS®, all about real estate. I'm Monica Neubauer, your host.
Many REALTORS® are hugely engaged in our communities. Others are looking for opportunities to engage. Christine Wendell, our guest, has been teaching us about ways that we can engage in the community and help communities elaborate opportunity, create more beautiful and functional spaces, and expand our education. And if you didn't listen to Episode 1, please go listen to Episode 1, where Christine very eloquently describes these grant programs that are available through NAR.
Christine serves as the Director of Community Outreach at the National Association of REALTORS®, where she leads the community outreach team and oversees the implementation of a suite, and that's what we talked about in episode one, a suite of programs, grants, and services, things designed to strengthen state and local REALTOR® Association advocacy on public policy issues and public spaces and housing. Christine has so much experience, over 35 years of experience in advocacy, communications, organizational leadership, and PAC fundraising. She previously served as the CEO and Public Policy Director of the Dulles Area Association of REALTORS® in Loudoun County, Virginia.
[2:30] Christine says the NAR grant programs are designed to help state and local REALTOR® associations advocate, engage, and educate on community development and Fair Housing issues and initiatives.
[3:02] Christine says Community Outreach has a suite of five grant programs designed to help you engage in community development and fair housing, along with a number of resources that help ignite progress, economic development, and revitalization in communities.
[3:22] You can find more information about the Community Outreach programs on the NAR REALTOR® Party Community Outreach landing page. Monica adds, We're going to put the links to these NAR pages and to some videos into the show notes.
[4:35] Christine receives 50 to 60 placemaking grant applications a year. The program has been in place since 2010. There are many inspirational stories on the Spaces to Places Blog.
[4:57] Hannah Dannenfelser, the team's manager of grants and resources, created with the production team a placemaking video that showcases recent stories and projects that can help provide inspiration.
[5:15] One of Christine's favorite stories was a project by the Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® (FAAR) in Virginia. They worked with the town of Orange to create a needed community park space in a once-vibrant African American business district that was disrupted by a highway project.
[5:39] The African American Commemorative Park is now a catalyst for renewal. The NAR Placemaking Grant that Fredericksburg applied for helped offset the cost of benches and interpretive panels that share the area's history and offer a place for reflection.
[5:59] The FAAR hopes the community gathering space will attract businesses and help keep the historic character. It was inspirational. It's in the placemaking video; it is a great example of committee engagement and how the REALTORS® brought the project to the table.
[6:25] The FAAR Public Policy Director, Kim McClellan, applied for the grant in partnership with the REALTOR® leadership and worked with everyone toward the completion of the project. Be sure to check it out in the video and see what Christine is talking about.
[6:43] Monica has been in some of these places with historical markers, just by happening upon them. The community where Monica lives has done that with a statue, markers, and a story. Now people can see the history right there. If we can be a part of that, how awesome it is to remind people of history!
[7:22] Monica loves seeing the history. It reminds her that the community has been there. There are roots and stories, and there's the future.
[7:32] Christine says to be sure, when thinking about these projects, to let the community know how involved and engaged you are.
[7:40] Grants can fund a plaque that includes all of the contributors to the park. Add your name on it. Christine wants to demonstrate how these funds are working in communities and to ensure that the community knows that the REALTORS® are front-and-center in these projects and issues.
[8:31] When REALTORS® come together with the community and the parks or public works team or municipal leaders, to build something tangible, it could take a year, it could take two years, but trust grows pretty quickly when you are working with a community.
[8:58] The elected officials and municipal staff will see REALTORS® as problem-solvers. Not just advocates but neighbors who show up bringing their tools and their sweat to the table, not just talking points. REALTORS® are bringing value, interest, and energy to these projects.
[9:22] Christine says, We see credibility, as a result, that pays off later. When we weigh in on things that hurt the community, REALTORS® will be seen as trusted advisors. The community will want to have REALTORS® at the table on future projects with smart growth and affordable housing.
[9:56] That's the end game. These projects help the relationships grow as a result.
[10:05] Monica reviews the uses of Housing Opportunity Grants from Episode 1. They can be used for events like Housing Fairs, Financial Literacy Programs, Education for the public on Down Payment Assistance, and Education for the REALTORS®.
[10:27] Christine says a lot of the funding goes toward Housing Fairs. Christine feels inspired by a model that comes from the Sacramento Association of REALTORS®. Jessica Coates, the AE, and her DEI Committee put together the Find Your Path to Home Ownership Expo.
[11:03] This Expo draws hundreds of people with the support of the Housing Opportunity Level 2 Grant of up to $7,500 to support the venue rental, the workshop speakers, marketing materials, and the food that brings in the community.
[11:23] This effort is led by their DEI and Fair Housing Committee. The event combines their affiliate vendors. They put in exhibits and expert-led sessions. Then they do panels of first-time buyers to showcase the journey that they've gone through.
[11:40] In addition, they leverage strategic partnerships, their multicultural real estate groups, and also their outside business folks, like Home Depot, to provide support. Home Depot came in and did this little activity for the kids, so the parents could attend the workshops.
[12:01] The response was so positive that they're committed to doing this as an annual event. That's what we like to see. And the grants can be used over and over and over again for the same initiative. Go to the REALTOR® Party success story on this.
[12:24] Search for REALTOR® Party Success Story Sacramento Housing Fair, and see the images, see the pictures of the REALTORS® involved, wearing their REALTOR® shirts. Jessica was interviewed by the media. REALTORS® are out there teaching and building partnerships. That's the standout example.
[12:52] You can go it alone, but there's no I in team. When we leverage partnerships and build relationships, we're telling the community, We are the source for real estate; we are the source for this information, and they begin to rely on it.
[13:42] Christine says the partnerships are driven by the type of initiative. In the previous Housing Fair example, those partners were multicultural partner organizations and business leaders. We've also seen partnerships for Homebuyer Education with Housing Counseling entities.
[14:00] If there's an issue on housing affordability, where an association wants to work to change the Zoning ordinance to encourage more mixed-use and units that are affordable for the workforce, they may want to partner with the municipality, chambers of commerce, and business improvement districts.
[14:22] They may want to partner with business leaders individually who are having a hard time finding workers to staff their business. Those are stakeholders, along with community foundations; those who serve the underserved, who want to ensure there is housing on every step of the ladder.
[14:42] Universities in the area can be key partners in terms of data and support for student needs. Economic Development entities in the area are key partners. They represent business. They ensure community progress, bringing key business sectors in. The business community needs housing.
[15:11] Lean on those folks. Associations don't always need partners. Some quick-build Placemaking or REALTOR® Education Events can be Association-led. The highest-impact efforts that we see bring together public, private, and non-profit strengths. The Level 2 Grants require a partnership for initiatives.
[16:07] For a REALTOR® to advocate for affordable housing, the first step is to learn about all the Down Payment Assistance Programs in your local area and with your state Housing Finance Agency. [16:25] Monica refers you to the episodes with Skyler Lemons (Episode 114) and Kameron Kang (Episode 115). Monica says to look back in the library for those episodes. You have buyer help options.
[16:39] Christine says the second step is to be a community advocate. Advocate for a diverse number of unit types in your community. Take the NAR Planning and Zoning Resource Course. Understand the fundamentals of planning and zoning through Smart Growth Plans.
[16:58] Learn the vocabulary. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Affordable Dwelling Units, what's the difference? Missing Middle Housing, By-Right Approvals, Parking Minimums. Those are tucked into the planning and zoning course. Build relationships before you need them. That's most important.
[17:33] Monica has seen in her community that the developers are ahead of the REALTORS® on some of those issues. They are knowledgeable about some of the things Christine mentioned. There will be a lot of future conversation about Smart Growth, Urban Growth, Waymos, and all the self-driving vehicles.
[18:22] Developers are involved in planning as part of their business. They have to understand land use and how these projects can come to life. They are key partners in all this, the Builders Association. It's important at a municipal level. Build relationships and get involved in the civic environment.
[18:55] Before getting involved, meet your Municipal Planner, Planning Director, Housing Director, and your Council Member, who represents you. Work with the local Association and attend Governmental Affairs Committee meetings where these policymakers and municipal staff are often invited.
[19:17] Christine says that's your opportunity to dig in, to lean in, to understand what they're telling you, what the priorities are, and where the community is in terms of their stage of looking at these issues, whether they're updating their master plan or general plan, or their zoning ordinance.
[19:34] Do they have a housing plan or a housing blueprint? Dig in and learn the terms and the governing documents that guide development. It's important. From the REALTOR®'s standpoint, the biggest value is bringing data and stories from clients.
[19:53] The decision-makers need you to be knowledgeable. But bring that data and bring those stories about that first-time buyer that you've been working with for two years, who has lost out on 10 contracts, for them to hear that they're going to leave.
[20:13] They're coming in to support this new company that Economic Development brought in, and they are still renting. That's a powerful message coming from a sales standpoint, from the REALTOR® standpoint in terms of just hearing the angst. And the elected leaders need to hear that as well.
[20:36] That's their future. If we can't house the future, I'm not sure where we're going to be. The other opportunity is to host some education with the local association. What does density look like? The communities encounter a lot of not-in-my-backyard sentiments.
[20:55] REALTORS® can come to the table to help the community understand what good design looks like and what the community needs in terms of improved walkability. The Community Outreach Program can underwrite public education and coalition-building, and the ability to bring these types of units to life.
[21:23] Seeing is believing. What does this look like in my community? The Smart Growth Level 2 Grant can be used to put together a community visioning session. Get people in a room.
[21:34] This is the sticky note session, where you have maps and design, and people can understand and say, "Wow, this is going to be amazing!" instead of, "I don't want that."
[21:46] The REALTORS® could be front and center and lead those conversations with community planners, and there are lots of different opportunities for them to do so.
[22:04] Monica was at a great sticky note session, but the local association hadn't been invited. Monica suggests REALTORS® should become so engaged in their community that it becomes normal to invite them to these meetings. Monica thinks REALTORS® and communities could work together better.
[23:09] Christine shares a recent story. The Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of REALTORS® has been working on an ADU ordinance for a long time. They have been trying to move the needle on housing supply. They have had forums, engagement, and education for their REALTORS®.
[23:33] Christine says this year, they were able to work with the city to have real conversations about diversifying housing. They turned to another resource, the Housing Opportunity Grant, to support funding, having conversations, and meetings.
[23:54] Then they turned to the Land Use Initiative, an important resource in the Community Outreach portfolio. This program has been in place since 1998 and allows associations to submit proposed ordinances on housing and community development issues.
[24:14] And then we give them legislative advice and talking points on those ordinances. So they leaned on that program to advocate again for an Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance. They went through multiple drafts with the municipality for about six months.
[24:29] They leaned on the LUI for advice on what each draft said. And at the end, they were able to get the accessory dwelling unit ordinance passed, seven to zip. It took a long time. It was done through conversations with their members, conversations with the municipality. They had a policy forum.
[24:58] It also took deep relationship building. That doesn't happen magically. They worked hard on that. And there's a Success Story on it. If listeners are interested in more information, they can go through that.
[25:14] The Community Outreach Grant and Resource Program is for long-game issues. Nothing happens overnight. You can't go to Amazon and get a good housing policy. You have to work on it for years, and you have to build relationships for years.
[25:32] Christine goes back to her original point. Meet with the people in your community. Listen, talk to your local association, become knowledgeable, figure out "what if," and "what's next." Lean on Community Outreach for Grant and Resource support with your local association.
[25:49] It's going to bear fruit for you as a REALTOR®, not only in getting to know community members, elected leaders, your association staff, but also your REALTOR® community.
[26:02] That agent could be on the other side of the transaction one day, and you've gotten to know them through local and state association involvement.
[26:10] Christine says, I'm inspired every day about what REALTORS® do, honestly. And their activism is amazing. And we're just so proud to help support that.
[26:20] Monica says, Christine, thank you so much for all the work that you do with the REALTOR® community and the very real and actual help that you provide to associations and members, and indirectly/directly, to the public.
[26:37] That's what we're about, helping our buyers and sellers get more of what they want, and you're helping us help them get what they need. I'm very grateful! I'm grateful to introduce you to our REALTOR® community in a bigger way.
[26:59] Christine's closing remarks: If you're feeling inspired but you're unsure where to begin, I can't say this enough: Start local. Reach out to your local association. Ask about the committees that focus on Community Development, Land Use Policy, Housing Opportunity, and Fair Housing.
[27:16] There are so many ways for you to plug in as a REALTOR®. You can volunteer for an association-led initiative, such as a Housing Fair, or attend a local zoning meeting with association staff and listen while they talk about ordinance changes.
[27:36] Help your association plan a small-scale Placemaking Project like a small-scale park. You don't have to lead right away, just show up. Showing up is a powerful first step. Remember, NAR offers Grants and Resources to help associations make an impact. You're never going alone on this.
[27:59] Thank you so much, Christine Windle from NAR. I'm excited about this topic because it's been known to me, and I'm so excited to bring it to you all, to help you become more engaged in your local communities.
[28:13] As I've been growing in this, a few things that I've done to learn more, besides going to the meetings, to the NAR architectural tours at the annual meeting, and the legislative meeting, I've been reading the NAR magazine On Common Ground. You can find that online. Lots of great education there.
[28:31] I've been following developments in my community. It will go through the planning commission, the city, and the county. I'm watching these things. So if you want to become more involved, and we hope you will, consider taking the Planning and Zoning Resource class at Learning.REALTOR.
[28:48] Go to the show notes, and you can see the links from some of the stories that Christine shared to help you learn more about these programs. Ask your local and state associations if they're applying for these and how you can be involved.
[29:00] Join the Government Affairs Committee. I find that one so fascinating myself. So thank you so much for joining Christine and me, Monica Neubauer, for the Center for REALTOR® Development. I hope to see you out there.
[29:14] I know you want to be part of the solution, and I know you want to help more people pursue their dreams. So as you're out there learning and growing, I know you're just going to go out there and
sell some more houses. Thanks so much.
Tweetables:
"The Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® worked with the town of Orange to create a needed community park space in a once-vibrant African American business district. … The Placemaking Grant helped offset the cost of benches and interpretive panels." — Christine Windle
"Jessica Coates, the AE of the Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, and her DEI Committee, put together the Find Your Path to Home Ownership Expo. This Expo draws hundreds of people with the support of the Housing Opportunity Level 2 Grant of up to $7,500." — Christine Windle
"Advocate for a diverse number of unit types in your community. Take the NAR Planning and Zoning Resource Course. Understand the fundamentals of planning and zoning through Smart Growth Plans. Learn the vocabulary." — Christine Windle
"[Community planners may say,] 'I heard the REALTORS® want to get involved in smart growth, and they're really concerned about affordable housing. What do they think? We need to have them at the table.' So that's the end game." — Christine Windle
"The decision-makers need you to be knowledgeable. But bring that data and bring those stories about that first-time buyer that you've been working with for two years, who has lost out on 10 contracts, for them to hear that they're going to leave." — Christine Windle
"Meet your Municipal Planner, Planning Director, Housing Director, and your Council Member, who represents you. Work with the local Association and attend Governmental Affairs Committee meetings where these policymakers and municipal staff are often invited." — Christine Windle
"Help your association plan a small-scale Placemaking Project. You don't have to lead right away, just show up. Showing up is a powerful first step. Remember, NAR offers Grants and Resources to help associations make an impact. You're never going alone." — Christine Windle
Guest Links:
Christine Windle, Director of Community Outreach at the National Association of REALTORS®
NAR REALTOR® Party Community Outreach
Center for REALTOR® Development 114 with Skyler Lemons
Center for REALTOR® Development 115 with Kameron Kang
NAR Planning and Zoning Resource Course
Additional Links:
Learning.REALTOR — for NAR Online Education
Training4RE.com — List of Classroom Courses from NAR and its affiliates
CRD.REALTOR — List of all courses offered
Host Information:
Monica Neubauer
Speaker/Podcaster/REALTOR®
Monica's Facebook Page: Facebook.com/Monica.Neubauer
Instagram: Instagram.com/MonicaNeubauerSpeaks
Guest Bio
Christine Windle
Christine Windle serves as the Director of Community Outreach at the National Association of REALTORS®, where she leads the Community Outreach team and oversees the implementation of a suite of programs, grants, and services designed to strengthen state and local REALTOR® association advocacy on public policy issues.
With over 35 years of experience in advocacy, communications, organizational leadership, and PAC fundraising, Christine previously served as CEO and Public Policy Director of the Dulles Area Association of REALTORS® in Loudoun County, Virginia. She also held roles at NAR as Community Development Policy Representative and staffed key committees focused on smart growth and housing needs. Her additional experience includes advocacy roles with the American Institute of Architects, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and as a congressional intern for Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD).
Christine holds an MPA from George Mason University and a BA in Political Science and Economics from the University of Maryland. She is also a REALTOR® Association Certified Executive (RCE).