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.
