Realtors raise $325,000 for tornado victims, funds still available

A pickup truck is smashed between two homes on Neff Road in Harrison Twp. Two weeks have passed since a tornado ripped through the area causing catastrophic damage to homes and businesses in the area. TY GREENLEES / STAFF

A pickup truck is smashed between two homes on Neff Road in Harrison Twp. Two weeks have passed since a tornado ripped through the area causing catastrophic damage to homes and businesses in the area. TY GREENLEES / STAFF

Dayton Realtors, an association of real estate professionals, established a relief fund last month and say that there is still support available to those whose homes were affected by the Memorial Day tornadoes.

The fund provides non-repayable grants of up to $1,000 to residents whose homes or rented residences were damaged by the tornadoes. The fund was announced at a June 7 press conference.

“We are so excited and so happy for the Board of Realtors and the Ohio Realtors for what it is they’re doing for our citizens. There are going to be great needs that start today, but those needs are going to extend into the years and months to come,” Trotwood Mayor Mary McDonald said.

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Through the grants and individual donations from Realtors and local associations, the fund has accumulated more than $325,000 in financial relief for qualified residents.

“We have received an incredibly positive response so far in application submissions for financial assistance,” said Bob Jones, director of communications for the Board of Realtors. “To date, 458 applications have been received, 250 applications have been approved, and the remaining applications are still pending.”

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Hundreds of homes were either destroyed or suffered major damaged that made them are unlivable, according to county emergency management officials.

“Dayton’s been devastated by not one tornado but multiple tornadoes in an unusual event, and many, many of our neighbors and friends, and businesses and community leaders have been rendered homeless, without places to go to work, without places to seek shelter,” Ohio Realtors President Anjanette Frye said.

Homeowners and renters can use their grant to pay the mortgage on a primary residence that was damaged during the May 27 tornadoes, or pay rent on a temporary residence for those who were displaced. As of this week, about $192,000 has been distributed to residents of Montgomery, Greene, and Mercer counties.

Although many of the funds have been used, Jones said there is still more to give.

“Funds are still available, so we encourage residents to apply at www.ohiorealtors.org.”

The deadline to apply is Aug. 16.

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