Friday, August 7, 2015

Harris Poll Survey Finds Accessible Housing For Disabled Are Unmet

New "Special Agent Learning Program" on Accessible Housing and Universal Design to Bolster Long-Standing Partnership with Easter Seals
MADISON, N.J., July 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Century 21 Real Estate LLC, the iconic brand and franchisor with the largest global network in the residential real estate industry including approximately 6,900 independent offices worldwide, today announced the results of the CENTURY 21® "Persons with Disabilities Home Buying Survey." In alignment with the 25th Anniversary celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the survey's goal was to help CENTURY 21 System members gain insight into the current state of the real estate industry as it relates to accessible housing, and serve as an integral part of the brand's ongoing efforts to help persons with disabilities live, learn, work and play in their communities and to have a future free of discrimination.
Conducted online in June by Harris Poll on behalf of Century 21 Real Estate LLC among 503 active homebuyers who either have disabilities or live with someone who does, the survey's key findings indicate a strong need and desire among homebuyers with special needs for real estate sales associates who are trained in, and knowledgeable about, accessible housing. An overwhelming majority (83%) stated having a real estate professional who is familiar with accessible housing would be beneficial to them, while one in four (25%) indicated it is absolutely essential their real estate professional is knowledgeable about accessible housing. The survey also revealed approximately half (49%) have a difficult time finding a home that fits their family's unique needs.
"This survey shows that there is a critical need for real estate professionals to understand the particular needs and unique challenges faced by homebuyers who have disabilities or live with someone who does," said Rick Davidson, president and chief executive officer of Century 21 Real Estate LLC. "In light of the survey's findings and in conjunction with our brand's philanthropic partnership with Easter Seals, I'm proud to announce that we are making a commitment to equip our affiliated sales associates with the tools and resources they need to better serve the special needs of this market segment."
According to the latest U.S. Census report on Americans with Disabilities, approximately 19 percent of the population identifies as having a disability. The CENTURY 21 Special Agent Learning Program is being developed to provide access for C21® System members to information, learning and resources on the topic of accessible housing and universal design for persons with disabilities.
"This new learning initiative is a natural extension of our longstanding relationship with Easter Seals," added Davidson. "Collectively, the CENTURY 21 System has raised more than $111 million since 1979 to support Easter Seals in our communities. Now, we are putting the mission of Easter Seals at the heart of what we do. Providing critical resources to our independent brokers and affiliated sales associates will help enable them to better serve this segment of the home buying and selling market."
According to the CENTURY 21 survey, the proposed CENTURY 21 Special Agent Learning Program is coming to market at a most opportune time. One in five (21%) reported that not having access to adequately trained real estate professionals posed a challenge in their housing search. Plus, more than half (54%) rated the average real estate professionals' knowledge of accessible housing with a grade level of "C" or below.
"On July 26, 2015 we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the landmark civil rights law for people with disabilities," said Easter Seals President & CEO Randy Rutta. "This anniversary creates momentum around the needs of accessibility in segments of society not covered by the ADA, such as residential housing. Today, with more than 54 million Americans living with disabilities, Easter Seals is proud to call the CENTURY 21® System our partner in advancing professional real estate services that help people with disabilities live in the community of their choosing."
The CENTURY 21 Special Agent Learning Program will be launched at the brand's annual leadership conference in San Diego this October.
Methodology:
Harris Poll conducted the Persons with Disabilities Home Buying Survey on behalf of Century 21 Real Estate LLC. The survey was administered online within the United States between June 18-29, 2015 among 503 U.S. adults aged 18+ who are currently looking to purchase a home in the next three years and who either have a disability or live with someone who does. Data are weighted where necessary by age within gender, race/ethnicity, region, education, income, and propensity to be online to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population. 
CENTURY 21 Real Estate has numerous websites to help answer specific consumer needs. They are:
About Easter Seals
Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For nearly 100 years, we have been offering help, hope, and answers to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play in their communities. For more information visit easterseals.com.
About Century 21 Real Estate LLCCentury 21 Real Estate LLC (century21.com) is comprised of approximately 6,900 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in 78 countries and territories worldwide with more than 100,000 independent sales professionals.
Century 21 Real Estate LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE:RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services.
© 2015 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. CENTURY 21®, the CENTURY 21 Logo are registered service marks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC. Century 21 Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated.
Contact: Peter Mosca 
Century 21 Real Estate LLC 
Phone: 973.407.5180 
Email: peter.mosca@century21.com 
SOURCE Century 21 Real Estate LLC
RELATED LINKS
http://www.century21.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/century-21-real-estate-survey-to-help-c21-system-members-better-serve-homebuyers-with-disabilities-300118030.html
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