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The Real Deal
Realtors come to the rescue with aid
Realtors responded to the recent tragedy by raising more than $5.5. million for the Realtors Housing Relief Fund, which was established to help families of the people killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. So far, more than 245 families have been helped with mortgage and rental costs and applications for the funds are continuing to be processed so more families can be helped.
The fund, established by the National Association of Realtors the day following the attacks, is expected to climb to at least $6 million to help meet the emergency housing costs of victims' families. Realtors and individuals have contributed to the fund, and local organizations, such as the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors, donated an initial $10,000 and are continuing to collect money to add to the fund. All of the money collected will go directly to those in need, and all contributions to the fund are tax-deductible.
Those eligible for assistance are the immediate families or households of deceased or missing victims of the attacks, including those in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon; passengers and airline employees on the four airliners, including the one that crashed in Pennsylvania; and emergency, fire and police personnel. Recipients must be United States citizens or legally admitted residents of the United States. Funds are being distributed through state Realtor associations in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maryland. Participating state associations are processing applications as quickly as possible in order to provide immediate relief to families in need.
"I am very proud to say that Realtors were one of the very first to respond, and the response has been truly magnificent. We are doing our very best to meet our pledge to the president and the nation that no victim's family will lose the place they call home," said National Association of Realtors President Richard Mendenhall.
The National Association of Realtors is America's largest trade association, representing more than 760,000 members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. The Silicon Valley Association of Realtors is a local trade association serving 3,000 Realtor and affiliate members in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.
The National Association of Realtors and their affiliated state and local organizations have a long-standing tradition of supporting the American ideal of home-ownership.
"Helping families of the victims of this terrible terrorist attack keep their homes by providing the funds to make mortgage or rental payments is one way we can contribute that will make a difference," said Jeff Barnett, president of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors.
Realtors and others interested in contributing to the fund can visit the fund's website at www.relief.org or send donations directly to Realtors Housing Relief Fund, c/o National Association of Realtors, 430 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.
Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors at www.siliconvalley-realtors.org. Send questions on any topic to jnewton@jnpr.com.
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