Realtors give back, create housing opportunities

by Terri Marshall

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January 23, 2012

Nichole Jaworski, CEO of Steele Creek Outreach, a Charlotte non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of our local homeless population, recently wrote about affordable housing and breaking the cycle of homelessness. One area organization taking active steps in contributing to the solution of this challenging problem and working with at risk populations is the Housing Opportunity Foundation.

The foundation is focused on building awareness about affordable-housing options in these trying times by improving and stabilizing the living conditions of our neighbors and making an impact in the Charlotte region. Though our work is often under the radar, our members surely are making a huge difference for many in our community.

Established by the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association, the nonprofit was created to give back and educate our community about safe, affordable housing. We are taking a leadership role in living out the foundation’s vision of creating a better quality of life in the region.

As an example, allow me to introduce you to our friend Benny. Benny is a delightful gentleman who values his independence and is proud of being able to live on his own, despite his physical and mental disabilities.  However, Benny was recently challenged by a host of home-repair needs that seemed insurmountable. At the time he came into our lives, Benny was using a portable toilet in his backyard, and his home needed a new roof, painting and a complete electrical and plumbing overhaul.

Working with our partners at the Davidson Housing Coalition, Benny was chosen to become one of the recipients of our Realtors Care Day (RCD) project. Within one day through this service project, he had a new roof and no more leaks.  RCD involves more than 600 Realtor volunteers (with the assistance of housing nonprofits, countless restaurants who donate food and many professional contractors who volunteer their time) who go into the community to accomplish critical exterior home repairs on anywhere from 23 to 33 homes – all in one day’s work. 

Since 2009, 88 families have received assistance through RCD in the form of roof repairs, carpentry, painting, window and door repair, guttering and much more.  Keeping homeowners in their homes is what RCD is all about. What about the impact? Well, one homeowner participant said it best: “My house is no longer just a house, it is now my home.” 

Realtors are also committed to housing on a number of different levels like shelter for the homeless, supportive housing for those transitioning into independent living, housing assistance for those with HIV/AIDS, building handicap ramps for elderly or disabled residents, safe housing for battered women, building Habitat homes, housing for mentally disabled adults or children aging out of foster care, and much more.  And they are able to make an impact on all of these areas through the foundation’s Habitat Support Program and Community Grants Program.  Through these programs each year, Realtors give approximately $32,500 to deserving organizations in the community, making a powerful impact from homelessness to homeownership.

Additionally, the foundation is focused on making an impact by educating our community about homeownership.  If you have ever purchased a house, then you may remember how difficult it was to understand terms like “escrow” or “adjustable rate mortgages.” 

That level of frustration and confusion is dramatically heightened for those who don’t qualify for a traditional mortgage.  To help unsnarl this complex web of terminology, the foundation has launched a website – www.CarolinaHomePrograms.com – that is a comprehensive source for financial and educational resources for the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, as well as Anson, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell and Union counties.  The website, which includes down-payment assistance resources, a glossary of real estate terms, information on foreclosure prevention and local credit counseling details, provides the community with the best compilation of resources at its fingertips. And to recognize the needs of our diverse community, the information is translated into a total of 10 languages.

All of these programs and services are realized because people care about the community in which we live. The foundation recognizes that good things happen when we all share in this effort through collaboration and partnerships. To honor this spirit, in 2007, the foundation launched the Humanitarian Award. This annual award highlights a person, project, or organization that has contributed significantly to our community. And each award winner is then able to choose a nonprofit to receive a contribution from the foundation given in their name.

As you can see, giving back is contagious.

Terri Marshall is the executive director of the Housing Opportunity Foundation