Southfield, Michigan (February 7, 2022) – In the Fall of 2021, two local Realtor® Associations combined efforts to help those impacted in the Oakland and Macomb communities, primarily in White Lake and Armada, by the severe weather, which caused significant damage to many homes. The Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors® and the North Oakland County Board of Realtors® were able to secure funding from the Realtors® Relief Foundation to assist those impacted by awarding financial assistance to help offset their mortgage payment, up to $1,000.00. Through a streamlined application process, financial support was provided to almost two dozen homeowners as they worked through these tragic events.

As the year pressed ahead, additional storms ripped through the Midwest and Kentucky, in particular, causing not only the tragic loss of life but significant damage in those communities; quickly after the passing of the storms, GMAR's leadership team came together to discuss giving back to the fund to help support those impacted. GMAR unanimously voted to donate $10,000 to the Realtors® Relief Foundation.

GMAR President, Teri Spiro, remarks, "We are grateful to be in a position as an organization to help the communities affected by the storms. The fastest way for us to help, and provide effective assistance, was to donate to an organization that is properly equipped to act and do so quickly. Realtors® care about our communities, and we are thankful to be a part of the many who choose to contribute to the Realtors® Relief Foundation."

The RRF is responding to more natural disasters than ever before, and funds are donated to allow the Foundation to respond at a moment's notice. As a result, in January of 2022, RRF was able to grant $1,500,000 to help support victims of the Kentucky tragedy. 

The REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) is a charitable organization dedicated to providing housing-related assistance to victims of disasters. Created as a REALTOR®-driven response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, RRF continues to restore and rebuild communities affected by disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes thanks to the generosity of individual REALTORS®, REALTOR® Associations, and affiliated organizations.

REALTORS® know how important a home is to a family and what is at stake when a home is damaged or lost. We also see the importance of community support. It is in our nature to step in and step up to help those affected by misfortune.

The RRF commits that every dollar donated goes directly to victims of the disasters. In addition, the NAR covers 100% of administrative expenses.

To learn more about RRF or donate, visit nar.realtor/about-nar/grants-and-funding/realtors-relief-foundation.