An organization that focuses on the housing industry was prompted by an attack on the United States to create a foundation to help with housing-related issues caused by a disaster, and its Cape May affiliates have pitched in to assist.
In response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the National Association of Realtors established the Realtors Relief Foundation, dedicated to providing housing-related assistance to victims of disasters, such as hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused havoc in Florida and other areas of the southeastern United States.
“It began after 9/11 as a resource for people who lost homes or were out of work due to a natural disaster, people who lost significant others,” said Ann Marie Uhlman, executive officer of the Cape May County Association of Realtors.
Rachel Memmele, the association’s president, said that as of Oct. 18, 157 New Jersey real estate brokers had helped raise $15,700 to help those needing it after the two hurricanes.
In the past, the state’s residents have been beneficiaries of the foundation’s efforts. Dutch Deckard, of Ferguson Deckard Real Estate, said that since the foundation was created in 2001 more than $10.3 million has been granted to New Jersey residents in the aftermath of weather events such as Hurricane Irene and tropical storm Lee in 2011, superstorm Sandy in 2012, tropical storm Ida in 2021 and winter storm Finn, which brought snow, wind, rain and tornadoes to the U.S. in January.
Deckard added that the foundation this year alone has given out approximately the same figure, $10.3 million, in disaster aid across the country, not counting the two Florida hurricanes.
Uhlman emphasized that 100% of the contributions to the Relief Foundation go to those who apply for aid.
“The emergency funds go to the applicant – there are no overhead costs,” she said.
This is possible because the foundation’s funds are managed by volunteer real estate brokers working in the area of need. The applicants reach out to their local association, such as the Cape May County Association of Realtors.
In the event there is a natural disaster in New Jersey, Uhlman said, there is a six-member Disaster Response Team made up of New Jersey Realtors that reaches out to local boards. The local associations help provide information on immediate needs in the community to the state board, which relays the information and damage assessments to the national association.
According to information provided by Teresa Tilton, director of professional services with the New Jersey Realtors, assistance is available to qualified applicants toward one of the following options:
- Monthly mortgage expense for the primary residence that was damaged;
- Rental cost due to displacement from the primary residence resulting from the disaster;
- Hotel reimbursement due to displacement from the primary residence resulting from the disaster.
There have been more than 100 disaster recoveries that have received foundation funds in 43 U.S. states and territories. More than 20,000 families have been helped by the foundation.
Memmele said the Cape May association, although it is a smaller board of Realtors, has been very active in helping give back to the community and staying “involved with important things like this.”
She said it’s important to have such a system in place in the event the area gets hit with a natural disaster. She said South Jersey is being affected more and more each year by climate change, as evidenced by superstorm Sandy.
“The National Association of Realtors has always done its best to be involved in their communities and give back,” Uhlman added.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
