This article was originally published 10 February 2020 on KW Outfront Magazine.

Through advocacy and bold leadership, Keller Williams agents
aren’t just opening doors of oppor­tunity for their clients today; they are
ensuring the future of housing remains strong for years to come.

Meet the industry leaders.

Julia Israel

KW Minneapolis Lakes, Productivity Coach and Broker

2017 – 2019 Twin Cities NAREB
President, Founding Member

Leadership Focus:
Bridging the Gap

Julia Israel is a dynamic leader and passionate advocate for advancing
homeownership in minority communities. While affordability and low
inventory issues impact hopeful homeowners across the board, data reveals
minority communities are hit hardest:

• The black homeownership rate is currently 30.5 percentage points lower than non-Hispanic whites (72.2%) and 22 percentage points lower than the national homeownership rate of 63.7%.
• Asian-American and Pacific Islander homeownership lags behind the national average as well by 6%, and behind non-Hispanic whites by nearly 15%.

Determined to reverse the statistics, Israel is infusing her leadership and
training expertise, gleaned from over 15 years at Keller Williams, into her
volunteer roles.

She teaches The Role of Diversity Marketing in Real Estate through
the Minnesota Association of Realtors, founded the Twin Cities NAREB
chapter, and sits on the National Association of Realtors Housing Opportunity
Committee.

“As Realtors, we are equipped with knowledge and information to help build and develop our communities,” she shares. “To me, volunteerism is a civic duty.”

Dustin Luce

Co-founder, Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals

CEO & Broker, The Advance Team

Leadership Focus:
Homes for Heroes

When colleague Son Nguyen approached Dustin Luce in 2011 to co-
create a nonprofit organization to help veterans and active-duty military
experience homeownership, he didn’t think twice.

In the months that followed, the Veterans Association of Real Estate
Professionals (VAREP) was established. Its mission – to increase
homeownership, financial-literacy education, VA loan awareness, and
economic opportunity for active-military and veteran communities. With 45
chapters nationwide, the organization has donated 34 mortgage-free homes,
distributed $70,000 in housing assistance grants, placed 1,000 veterans in
homes, and more.

Luce credits his experience at Keller Williams as the gateway to VAREP: “Keller Williams set the stage for the opportunity to create and grow VAREP,” he shares. “Having the opportunity to sit on the Associate Leadership Council and run a Keller Williams office were key steps that brought me here. I am incredibly grateful to be a part of this company.”

This article was originally published 10 February 2020 on KW Outfront Magazine.
Source: https://outfront.kw.com/agents/features/kw-agents-work-to-pave-homeownership-paths-for-all/