2026 Canopy Fair Housing Challenge

How can you meet the challenge? 

CONNECT 

Join friends and colleagues at the Fair Housing Month Celebration, the signature event during Canopy’s Fair Housing Challenge. The event is scheduled for Wed., April 29 from 3:00-7:30 p.m. at Canopy Realtor® Association.  Guest speakers and presentations include:

• Charlotte historian Dr. Tom Hanchett, sharing insights from his 2025 book, Affordable Housing in Charlotte: What One City’s History Tells Us about America’s Pressing Problem, on the evolution of affordable housing and its impact today. 
• Hear what NAR is doing to advance fair housing and expand housing opportunities with guest speakers Colette Massengale, Senior Policy Representative for Fair Housing Advocacy at NAR and Tikola McCree, Chair of NAR’s Fair Housing Policy Committee. 
• Learn how North Carolina’s Property Tax Homestead Exclusions can provide meaningful tax relief for eligible homeowners with guest speaker, Rob Nanfelt, Executive Director, Real Estate & Building Industry Coalition (REBIC).

Enjoy an evening of activities, food, and interactive exhibits across two floors including access to the 4th floor terrace. Get a “taste” of Canopy with a variety of cuisines featured on each floor. Visit the Resource Room to connect with representatives from housing nonprofit organizations, multicultural real estate groups, and government agencies.  ** Provides Workforce Housing C.A.R.E. Program Recertification credit.**

Other ways to connect:

• Check out the Canopy “Diversity In Action” webpage at canopyrealtors.com for local state, and national resources and information.
• Get familiar with the Association’s and Foundation’s commitment to housing and the community. Learn more about Canopy Housing Foundation’s website.
• Wear your “Fair Housing For All” t-shirt to special events and classes all month long or send a picture to diversityandinclusion@canopyrealtors.com  #canopyFHchallenge
• Need a t-shirt? Visit the Realtor® Store Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., or purchase one online. The shirts are $25 each, and all proceeds go to the Canopy Housing Foundation. 
• Participate in 2026 Charlotte Crown’s Realtist Week April 12-18 that focuses on advancing Black homeownership, economic empowerment, and fair housing advocacy.
• Attend the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals Charlotte (NAHREP) Next Gen Business Rally, April 9
• Participate in the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) Charlotte Metro Chapter’s April 23 event “Inside Commercial Real Estate: Core Concepts & 2026 Trends”

LEARN 

• Fair Housing Day at Canopy Real Estate Institute.  Enroll in “Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing”with Robert Morris, in-person on Wed., April 8 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for only $10 for members.  The course is approved for NAR’s Fair Housing requirement and provides continuing education elective credit for both North Carolina and South Carolina. 
• Attend "AI and the Future of Fair Housing: How Technology Impacts Fair Lending and Renting”, on Wed., April 15 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  at Canopy Realtor® Association.  This mini-conference is co-hosted by Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Relations’ Fair Housing Division, Canopy Realtor® Association and Charlotte Crown Realtist Association.
• Complete NAR’s “Fairhaven 2.0: Essential Fair Housing Education”self-paced training.  This course is approved for NAR’s Fair Housing requirement.
• Complete NAR’s “At Home with Diversity” (AHWD) Certificationcourse. This course is approved for NAR’s Fair Housing requirement.
• Learn how North Carolina’s Property Tax Homestead Exclusions can provide meaningful tax relief for eligible homeowners.  Find the information and resources you need to guide and educate your clients at the Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition.

VOLUNTEER

• Participate in the 2026 Realtors® Care Day project scheduled for Fri., April 17. The project is held in April to recognize and acknowledge Fair Housing Month and to demonstrate the Realtor® commitment to creating safe and affordable homes for all.

NOMINATE

• If you know a young person aged 10-18 who is actively engaged in improving our community, please nominate them for the Canopy Housing Foundation’s Youth Excellence in Service Award. Y.E.S. Award nominations are due by Sun., May 31.
• Know an organization in Mecklenburg, Iredell, or Haywood counties that is working to address unmet housing needs? Partner with that nonprofit to submit a Canopy Housing Foundation Community Grants applicationby Sun., May 31.

Canopy will promote members who meet the challenge on social media! Be sure to tag your posts with #canopyFHchallenge.

These events are a benefit of belonging to Canopy Realtor^® Association.