When Realtors, employees or association staff need help following a natural disaster, Florida Realtors Disaster Relief Fund steps in to help.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida Realtors® formed Florida Association of Realtors® Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) as a trust dedicated to helping Realtors, their employees, local associations and staff if a natural disaster impacts their area and their homes.

In 2021, the DRF awarded $200,000 to aid organizations working directly with U.S. Realtors facing hard times thanks to a natural disaster.

“The Disaster Relief Fund was first created back in 1992, so it’s been around a long time,” says 2022 DRF Chair Phyllis Choy. “It’s done some amazing things to help people. Some years, the DRF is badly needed. Thankfully in some years, like 2021 in Florida, there aren’t as many disasters – but we need to be ready, always.”

Realtors across the U.S. faced a wide range of disasters in 2021 – winter storms, tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes and more – as the nation coped with the COVID-19 pandemic. Once DRF identifies a need, it approves funding for organizations that deal directly with the Realtors who need help. In 2021, that totaled four $50,000 donations to:

  • Realtors Relief Fund: The organization under the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) received two separate awards of $50,000, for a total of $100,000
  • California Association of Realtors Disaster Relief Fund: DRF awarded $50,000 to CAR following devastating wildfires in fall 2021
  • Louisiana Realtors Disaster Relief Fund: Hurricane Ida also impacted Realtors last September, and DRF awarded $50,000 to Louisiana Realtors who needed help

“Often times when there is a disaster, there is no electricity, no internet and difficulties in communications, so a request for help can come in to DRF in various ways,” says Choy. “The top amount that can go to an individual – to help with their home or residence – is $2,500, and up to $5,000 can be given if a brokerage has been damaged.”

Realtors can apply for DRF aid through Florida Realtors’ website – and they can also make donations to help others through the same page.

© 2022 Florida Realtors®

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Author: marlam