Company: HOF

12/16/2016

Contact: Kim Walker

Contact Phone: 704-940-3149

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – More than 400 Realtors® gathered Fri, Dec. 16, 2016 at the Crowne Plaza Charlotte Executive Park for the Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association/Carolina Multiple Listing Services, Inc. (CarolinaMLS) 2016 Holiday Awards Luncheon & Annual Meeting.  Members paid tribute to outstanding real estate industry leaders and association volunteers, and the Housing Opportunity Foundation, which serves as the association’s charitable-arm, honored Don Gately, Executive Director of the CrossRoads Corporation for Affordable Housing and Community Development, with the 2016 Humanitarian Award.  

Gately, who retired briefly after a 36-year career in banking, has served in a leadership role for CrossRoads since 2008 where he has led the formation of multiple projects that have helped to elevate the quality of life in the Grier Heights Community.  Grier Heights, a largely African-American neighborhood bound by Randolph, Wendover and Monroe roads, is challenged by low homeownership.  During his tenure Gately has secured grant commitments and contributions totaling more than $3.8 million, and through his engagement with numerous partnerships, CrossRoads has built 20 homes for buyers with incomes below 80 percent of the median income with five more homes planned in 2017. Under Gately’s leadership the original Billingsville School is now a thriving community center that offers a computer lab, youth and adult recreation, education and job preparedness programs.  

Association/CarolinaMLS president Maren Brisson-Kuester said, “Don Gately’s commitment to the community and affordable housing is readily apparent, and without a doubt he has had an impact on the more than 3,000 residents of the Grier Heights neighborhood and 200 volunteers that support the organization. His vision and leadership in making the dream of homeownership a reality for so many should serve as an inspiration to us all.”

As the Housing Opportunity Foundation’s Humanitarian Award winner, Gately received a commemorative crystal award and the ability to designate a nonprofit charity of his choice to receive $3000 from the foundation. Gately has chosen to designate both the CrossRoads Corporation and the Fletcher School, where he serves as a board member.

About the Housing Opportunity Foundation

The Housing Opportunity Foundation is the charitable arm of the Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association.  The foundation is dedicated to funding, education, advocacy and leadership programs that are focused on fair and affordable housing and workforce-housing initiatives.  The foundation serves to position and educate Realtors® as leaders, promote homeownership and provide funding to create housing opportunities.

For more information about the Housing Opportunity Foundation, the association or CarolinaMLS, visit www.CarolinaHome.com.  For interviews, please contact Kim Walker.

The Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association is a trade association that provides its more than 9,000 Realtor® members with the resources and services they need to conduct ethical, professional, successful and profitable businesses. The association is dedicated to being the region's primary resource for residential real estate information. The association operates the Carolina Multiple Listing Services, Inc. (CarolinaMLS), which has more than 10,500 Subscribers and is the private cooperative Realtors® use for access to tens of thousands of residential listings in a multicounty service area, including Charlotte, the Piedmont area of North Carolina and South Carolina, and beyond.

Original Publish Date: 12/16/2016