Washington, DC – November 18, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — The Housing Opportunity Fund, a National Association of REALTORS® grant program, has presented $50,000 to 15 local and state REALTOR® associations. Those associations will use the funds to promote and expand affordable housing opportunities in their communities.
“REALTORS® build communities and are working hard to address the crisis in affordable housing opportunities,” said NAR President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. “The REALTOR® associations that have received Housing Opportunity grants understand that home ownership strengthens communities, and these associations are working to expand more housing opportunities in their local communities.”
NAR’s Housing Opportunity Fund was established in 2006. Grants of up to $50,000 are awarded twice per year, in April and October. Since the program’s inception, more than 135 grants totaling over $450,000 have been awarded.
The grants support a wide range of housing opportunity activities, including housing symposia; home buyer education or housing fairs; counseling and financial literacy efforts; down payment or closing cost financial assistance programs; public opinion surveys; and REALTOR® affordable housing education.
The following REALTOR® associations received Housing Opportunity Fund grants in this round:
Arcadia Association of REALTORS® (Arcadia, Calif.): $3,000 to create a portal that will include a complete set of home buyer resources; available to consumers on demand.
Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS® (Amherst, N.Y.): $3,000 to expand a partnership with a local nonprofit to provide education and counseling services to low- and moderate-income residents in the community.
Charlotte Regional REALTOR® Association (Charlotte, N.C.): $5,000 toward presenting a program to educate the REALTOR® community about poverty, its impact on housing, and ways to combat negative stereotypes about individuals earning low incomes.
Columbia Greene Board of REALTORS® (Hudson, N.Y.): $3,000 to educate REALTORS® about the “Housing Our Military with Excellent Service” program.
Columbus Board of REALTORS® (Columbus, Ohio): $2,500 toward efforts to inform REALTORS® about a variety of financial assistance programs available to consumers.
Eastern Connecticut Association of REALTORS® (Norwich, Conn.): $2,500 to conduct “Navigating Today’s Real Estate Market,” an informational event for home buyers and sellers.
Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® (Fredericksburg, Va.): $3,000 to support activities taking place as part of a local Affordable Housing Awareness Week.
Greater Baltimore Board of REALTORS® (Lutherville, Md.): $5,000 for a rental transition program to help individuals secure a loan to use toward first month’s rent or a security deposit for rental housing.
Hawaii Island Board of REALTORS® (Hilo, Hawaii): $3,500 to conduct two all-day housing workshops for the public and REALTORS®, providing resources and information regarding affordable housing opportunities.
Pinellas REALTOR® Organization (Clearwater, Fla.): $5,000 to support a partnership to restore a vacant hotel and create a supportive housing center for veterans.
San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (San Mateo, Calif.): $2,000 to present “Home Ownership 101,” a four-part educational workshop targeting college students and their families.
Santa Fe Association of REALTORS® (Santa Fe, N.M.): $3,000 to support a home ownership fair that will bring together elected and appointed officials, housing advocates, business and community leaders and other key groups.
Utah County Association of REALTORS® (Orem, Utah): $1,500 toward an event that will focus on identifying and discussing local housing needs and ways to create more housing opportunities.
West Pasco Board of REALTORS® (New Port Richey, Fla.): $5,000 to support a partnership that will establish a fund to build new homes and provide down payment assistance.
West San Gabriel Valley Association of REALTORS® (San Gabriel, Calif.): $3,000 toward a housing fair for REALTORS® and consumers where information will be provided on a range of home buying and home ownership topics.
For additional information on NAR’s Housing Opportunity Fund or to download an application,visit www.realtor.org/housingopportunity.
The National Association of REALTORS®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
*REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark which may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. Not all real estate agents are REALTORS®. All REALTORS® are members of NAR.
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Information about NAR is available at www.realtor.org. This and other news releases are posted in the News Media section.
Contact:
Leanne Jernigan 202/383-1290
