Known for giving back to the communities in which they work and live, REALTORS® care about their neighbors. One tool that REALTORS® have made sure is available to them in times of need is the REALTORS® Relief Fund. This charitable program can be activated to direct monies to those affected by natural and other disasters.

After floodwaters receded and it was clear that Kentuckians were enduring a hardship, Kentucky REALTORS® (KYR) and the Lexington-Bluegrass Association of Realtors® each contributed $10,000 to this cause. A matching grant of $20,000 by the National Association of REALTORS® Realtor® Relief Fund now brings the assistance available to residents of Kentucky who were recently affected or displaced by the flooding to $40,000.

Ten counties in the Commonwealth are considered disaster areas due to the February 2020 flooding. Property owners, homeowners, and renters in Bell, Clay, Harlan, Knox, Lawrence, Leslie, Letcher, McCreary, Perry and Whitley counties were affected by the heavy rains. Related damage, such as mudslides and a train derailment, accompanied the traditional damage done by rising water.

Any affected residents can fill out an application for assistance from the REALTORS® Relief Foundation and will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to ensure that the maximum number of Kentuckians receive aid, the maximum amount available per application is $1000. Those interested in applying should visit the Kentucky REALTORS® website at kyrealtors.com/flood for more details and to download an application.

KYR President Lester Sanders said that a priority of this program is to make the funds available immediately. “When major disaster strikes, the REALTORS® Relief Foundation has one goal: help families who have endured unimaginable loss”, he said. “It’s our hope that these funds make what is bound to be a very difficult time in the lives of our neighbors a bit more bearable.”

Those interested in supporting the fund to help others in times of need may do so by making a private donation. The REALTORS® Relief Foundation welcomes contributions not only in times of disaster but at any time throughout the year. Additionally, 100% of all funds collected go to disaster relief causes. Visit kyrealtors.com/flood to find out how you can help.