Kentucky REALTORS® (KYR) announces a new initiative for 2020 that will allow REALTORS® to get further involved and give back to their Kentucky communities. The Community, Economic Development & Housing Affordability Grant Program (CODE) is a way for local REALTOR® Associations to play a leadership role in making their communities a better place to live and work. 

National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) President Vince Malta gave the charge to REALTORS® to drive community development, promote housing affordability, and spur economic development. NAR’s Strategic Priority for 2020 also promotes enhancing the value of membership allowing us to, ‘own who we are’ and “lift as we climb”. 

KYR President Lester Sanders said “the CODE Grant Program is a way for KYR to give back to its membership, directly affecting local communities and individuals. This initiative is just one of many ways that KYR continues to advocate for the citizens of Kentucky”, he said. 

During 2020, KYR will make $60,000 in grant funding available to qualified programs and projects across Kentucky. This will entail $10,000 in funding for a project(s) within each of the state association’s six regions. Initiatives that drive economic growth, make quality of life improvements and support homeownership are the focus of this program. Grants may be used for community enhancements such as recreation areas that have an economic impact, projects that foster collaboration between stakeholders to develop plans to revitalize blighted, unused, or underused commercial space, or perhaps host educational activities to address affordable housing issues. 

It is Sanders’ hope that as one of Kentucky’s largest and most influential trade associations, KYR can provide significant leadership in its communities to drive economic growth, promote community development and help more Kentuckians realize the American Dream of Homeownership.