Disaster Relief Funds Available To Residents Impacted by Tornadoes
In December of 2021, a tornado swept through Hart County, causing severe damage to homes in Harydville. Photo by Mary Beth Sallee.
Katrina England
Reporter, Hart Co. News-Herald
Hart and Barren County Residents impacted by December’s tornadoes can seek relief through the REALTORS® Relief Fund. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) created the REALTORS® Relief Foundation to help people in need due to natural disasters and other crises.
This fund can help ease the tremendous hardship, worry, and challenges of many by offsetting the costs of the basic need of housing.
Recently, The National Association of REALTORS® wrapped up an $8 million fundraiser just in time and assisted with disasters in Colorado, tornadoes in Arkansas, and of course, tornadoes in Kentucky.
Kentucky REALTORS® (KYR) reached out and asked for a grant, and received $1.5 million, which is the largest grant ever to have been given out by the RRF to a single disaster organization.
“This historic grant to our association has helped over two-hundred families to date”, said KYR 2022 President Mike Inman. “REALTORS® continually invest in the communities where they live and work and this fund helps all of our 12,000+ members be a part of this large-scale recovery.”
So far, Kentucky REALTORS® has given out 212 checks to residents from Paducah to Bowling Green, totaling over $492,000.00.
To apply, residents directly impacted by the December tornadoes should visit kyrealtors.com/relief and download the application to fill out. Scan or take a photo of the completed application to email back, or mail it to the office. Applicants will have to provide documentation of an ID, a mortgage statement or rental agreement for the property which was damaged, and proof of any ongoing housing payment obligations. If applicants are renting a separate property, this fund can help with those costs. Any funds acquired must go to housing obligations.
The fund will also reimburse any hotel stay costs associated with being displaced from a home or apartment due to the storms.
“We’re trying to get the word out about this landmark grant from the REALTORS® Relief Foundation,” said Communications Director Paul Del Rio. “We know everyone needs help with the damage, and there are folks that are unaware. I’m looking at those small pockets of communities where maybe the word hasn’t gotten out that we have this money available for our affected neighbors.”
For questions, or to speak with a Disaster Relief Coordinator, applicants should call 859-263-7377.
Storm damage from the tornado that swept through Cave City in December of 2021.
