Ohio REALTORS® establish relief fund for tornado victims
Today, Ohio REALTORS® officials held a press conference in the Dayton area announcing the establishment of the Ohio REALTORS® Housing Disaster Relief Fund that will provide up to a $1,000 non-repayable grant to residents whose home or rental were damaged by the tornadoes that hit the region on May 27, 2019.
Through a grant from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), along with donations from individual REALTORS® and Local Associations/Boards across the state, the Ohio REALTORS® Housing Disaster Relief Fund will be providing more than $325,000 in financial relief to qualified residents.
"Ohio REALTORS® are honored to make this announcement and work in partnership with the Dayton REALTORS®, the Midwestern Ohio Association of REALTORS® and officials from across the region to help make a difference in the ongoing effort to rebuild communities and restore lives," said Scott Williams, Ohio REALTORS® Chief Executive Officer, during the press conference.
"I would encourage anyone whose home or apartment suffered damage--or if they have a family member, friend or neighbor that was adversely affected--to visit ohiorealtors.org for complete details and to access the grant application," said Anjanette Frye, Ohio REALTORS® 2019 President.
"Ohio REALTORS® are united in making a meaningful difference and helping to rebuild this area," Frye added.
Assistance is limited to housing relief only; other expenses including second mortgages, vehicle purchase, rental and/or mileage are ineligible for reimbursement under this program.
NAR grant funds are restricted to residents of Greene, Mercer and Montgomery counties.
However, Ohio REALTORS® assistance is not tied directly to the NAR grant and may be disbursed for expenses beyond direct mortgage/rental payments, such as insurance deductible, hotels, etc. Those grants will be made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the fund’s Trustees/Administrators and will be served on a first-come, first served basis. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, August 16.
"Ohio’s REALTOR® community prides itself on helping to make home happen...on helping business open its doors...and on helping to build communities," Williams concluded.
