The Housing Opportunity Foundation awarded five local nonprofit agencies a total of $10,000 through its annual Community Grants Program. The foundation serves as the charitable arm of the Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association, and is dedicated to making a difference in the community by creating housing opportunities, promoting homeownership, and positioning and educating Realtors® as leaders.
The Community Grants Program, now in its third year, seeks to support area organizations that address unmet housing needs in Mecklenburg and Iredell counties.
“Realtors® recognize the role that these agencies play in meeting critical housing needs at a very basic level,” said association/Carolina Multiple Listings Services, Inc. (CMLS) President Laurie Knudsen. “The beauty and success of this program lies with our members who volunteer and work closely with these organizations. Each applying organization must have a letter of recommendation from an active Realtor® member of the association. Through these recommendations, we are able to assist agencies that share our vision of creating a better quality of life for the region.”
Since 2009, the foundation has awarded $30,000 to 14 area nonprofits through this Realtor®-directed and funded program.
“There are so many organizations doing great work and this program is just one way to recognize their tireless efforts,” says Terri Marshall, executive director of the foundation. “There is a critical need for funding for many of these grassroots organizations. We have seen this need, because in just three years since the program’s inception, we have had 53 organizations request funding.”
This year, five organizations received funding through the Community Grants Program:
Builders of Hope received $1,300 to provide tools for individuals going through the “Hope Works! Mentoring Program” in Charlotte. Each person in the program will develop construction skills and basic workplace competencies to transition to a self- supportive environment and independent lifestyle. Realtor® and volunteer Sheryl Allen provided this recommendation.
Carolinas Care Partnership received $2,500 to assist in paying the rental and utility deposits of families and individuals with HIV/AIDS who need secure and stable housing but struggle to find it due to their health situation. Realtor® and volunteer Ryan Willis provided this recommendation.
Charlotte Family Housing received $2,500 for housing deposits to help five Charlotte families living in shelters move into housing on their own where they will receive supportive services. Realtor® and volunteer Susan Burton provided this recommendation.
Children’s Homes of Iredell County received $2,500 to provide educational training materials, college application funds, and transportation funds for employment and college visits to the young adults in the Children’s Homes’ Transitional Living Program, which houses children aging out of the foster care system. Realtor® and volunteer Sonya Leonard provided this recommendation.
Love In The Name of Christ received $1,200 to purchase materials for handicap ramps for people of few resources, senior adults and people with disabilities in Mecklenburg County. This gives homeowners the freedom to enter and exit their homes safely and easily. Realtors® and volunteers Vivian Munson and Lee Ann Brown provided this recommendation.
For more information about the Housing Opportunity Foundation, the association or CMLS visit www.CarolinaHome.com.
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