RISMEDIA, May 28, 2010—RealTracs Solutions regional Multiple Listing Service and The Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Education Foundation have established the Rising Hope Disaster Relief Fund to help those in the REALTOR® community with housing-related needs resulting from disasters, specifically the recent severe flooding.
“The goal of the fund is to make sure that those who are victims of the flood will not also have to endure the possibility of losing their home due to inability to make payments,” said Lucy Smith, president of GNAR. “The Rising Hope fund will assist Realtors and their families to meet mortgage and rent payments, and possibly other costs, as they work to rebuild.”
RealTracs is in the process of creating their own 501(c)3 in order to administrate the relief fund. In the short term, the GNAR Education Foundation, which is already an existing 501(c)3, will collect and distribute funds based on an application process. Once the RealTracs organization is finalized, all collection, disbursement and administration will be done by the regional Multiple Listing Service.
“This is a critical time for real estate professionals,” said Stuart White, president and CEO of RealTracs Solutions. “Many of them are trying to serve clients, customers and others in the community, but have their own personal challenges to address due to the flooding. Our hope is to give them some relief so they can be less distracted and provide their professional insights on housing and support services to others in need right now.”
“During times of crisis caused by a natural disaster, Realtors are often doubly affected when not only are their own properties affected, but also their livelihoods are destroyed,” added Smith. “GNAR is proud to be able to partner with RealTracs, other local Realtor associations and individual Realtors in Middle Tennessee to provide assistance to the community.”
In order to be considered for monetary assistance with housing-related needs, a completed application must be submitted. Applications are available at the Rising Hope Disaster Relief Fund website (disasterrelief.realtracs.com) or visit www.realtracs.com and click on the Disaster Relief link. The application will be reviewed by an independent committee selected by the board of directors. The committee will approve requests and distribute funds.
Donations to the relief fund can be made by anyone wishing to contribute. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made online by visiting the Rising Hope Disaster Relief Fund website or by mailing a check made out to the GNAR Education Foundation with “Relief” in the memo line and sent to the GNAR Education Foundation, c/o Disaster Relief Fund, 4540 Trousdale Dr., Nashville, TN 37204.
In addition to the Rising Hope Fund, the National Association of Realtors has provided $50,000 in support. That money was been given through the Tennessee Association of Realtors to the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity (NAHFH) to administrate. The funds will be used primarily for rebuilding and rehabilitation of homes affected by the flood.
For more information, visit www.realtracs.com.
