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 empower Realtors® as leaders and advocates who affect a better quality of life in the region.
Funding
One of the foundation’s primary goals is to establish revenue sources that contribute to the funding of housing needs in the community. To date, more than $125,000 has been awarded through the foundation. The foundation’s Habitat Support Program distributes $20,000 to eight regional Habitats each year. In addition, the Community Grants Program awarded $10,000 in 2009 to five local organizations addressing unmet housing needs in Mecklenburg and Iredell counties.
Education
The foundation is committed to education through its Workforce Housing Certificate Program (WHCP), which offers free workshops that educate Realtors® to work with first-time buyers and clients purchasing in the affordable price range. As an extension of WHCP, the foundation also sponsors a community-wide Workforce Housing Fair that offers free educational information and resources to consumers and first-time homebuyers needing assistance with the home-buying process.
Advocacy
The foundation plays a strong role in advocating as it relates to affordable workforce housing in our community. The foundation is partnering with the association's Government Affairs to further the foundation’s Advocacy Priorities. In addition, the foundation is partnering with Government Affairs and the Diversity Council to host an Advocacy Training Session for association leadership to fully explore advocacy and what it means for the association and its members.
Leadership
The foundation seeks to position Realtors® as leaders in the community through Realtors® Care Day. Another leadership initiative is the foundation’s Humanitarian Award, which annually recognizes individuals, projects or groups that make outstanding contributions in the community.
For further information on the foundation, please e-mail Terri Marshall, executive director, or call 704-940-3148. Financial records for the foundation are available through written request or in person and can be directed to the attention of the executive director.
Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the state.