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Yelm proclaims April 2025 Fair Housing Month; Thurston County Realtors say association once opposed 1968 law
Summary
Mayor Joe DePinto signed a proclamation declaring April 2025 Fair Housing Month in Yelm. The city was joined by the Thurston County Realtors, whose representative recounted that the association had opposed the 1968 Fair Housing Act but now supports fair housing.
Mayor Joe DePinto presented a proclamation declaring April 2025 as Fair Housing Month in the City of Yelm and was joined by the Thurston County Realtors for a short presentation.
The proclamation recited the Fair Housing Act’s goals, noting the 1968 federal law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, familial status, national origin and disability and requires recipients of federal funds to affirmatively further fair housing. It concludes that the city “is committed to the mission and intent of Congress to provide fair and equal housing opportunities for all” and proclaims April 2025 as Fair Housing Month in Yelm.
Mark (last name not provided), introduced as president of the Thurston County Realtors, thanked the mayor and council and told the council the local realtor association has changed its stance since 1968. “Prior to 1968, our own code of ethics said that basically the property value was more important than giving the equal opportunity to equal all,” he said. He added the association campaigned against the Fair Housing Act in 1968 but is now a “proponent of fair housing.”
The realtor representative said fair housing remains important across political perspectives and that, in his view, “everybody should have an equal opportunity to own have a house or have a roof over our heads.” He thanked the council for the proclamation and offered to work with city leaders on housing issues going forward.
Why it matters: the proclamation is a ceremonial recognition of federal fair‑housing law and an invitation for local stakeholders to support equal housing opportunities. The realtor’s remarks acknowledged historical opposition by the association to the 1968 law and emphasized the group’s current support.
What the proclamation does not do: it does not create new local regulations or funding; it formally recognizes the month and expresses the city’s commitment to fair housing.
