AAR announces 2007 CARHOF grants
AAR members’ contributions ensure funds for Aurora organizations
The Aurora Association of REALTORS® is proud to provide significant financial assistance to five organizations that help needy families in the Aurora area.
The grants, which AAR distributed in late August, come from the Colorado Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunity Foundation (CARHOF). Money for CARHOF comes from financial contributions by REALTORS® and those in real estate-related industries. In its 16-year history, CARHOF donations have exceeded $4 million.
This year, many Aurora Association of REALTORS® members contributed to CARHOF through donations and earnest money escrow accounts; by playing in the Golf Tournament, which gave proceeds to the organization; and by buying a ticket for the Colorado Association of REALTORS® raffle earlier this summer. Because of those efforts, AAR was able to give $8,700 in CARHOF grants to help our Aurora community.
City of Aurora – Home Ownership Assistance Program
Award: $2,610
Established in 1985, HOAP is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency providing down payment/closing cost assistance, comprehensive no-cost counseling in pre-purchase, foreclosure prevention, reverse equity mortgage services for the elderly, pre-foreclosure sale information, tenant/landlord information and is an extensive referral resource. The program not only directly affects the lives of countless families, but also has affected the financial well-being of many local and metro businesses, including REALTORS® and those in affiliated industries who have earned commissions through the program.
Aurora Interchurch Task Force, Inc.
Award: $2,088
AITF is a volunteer agency whose sole aim is providing substantive emergency assistance. In 2006, AITF helped 12,440 Aurora residents, providing emergency housing, rental, utility and transportation assistance and help with prescriptions and other medications for Aurora residents. AITF helped more than 5,800 people with food and almost 3,400 with clothing and household items.
Gateway Battered Women’s Services
Award: $1,914
Gateway Battered Women’s Services serves women and children fleeing from domestic violence. Gateway provides a comprehensive array of programs and services including a 24-hour crisis line offering intervention, information and referrals; emergency shelter and an extended stay program for up to 38 women and children; individual, group and family counseling for resident and nonresident women and children; and Court Advocacy Program that coordinates with the police, prosecutors, courts, probation and service providers to increase the effectiveness of intervention and treatment of domestic violence incidents.
Brent Ely Foundation dba Brent’s Place
Award: $1,044
Brent’s Place provides housing to approximately 60 immune suppressed children with cancer and their families each year. The program gives priority to those who are at high risk for infection because of extreme cancer treatment like high dose radiation and chemotherapy or bone marrow or stem cell transplant. Brent’s Place provides kids with cancer a clean, healthy living space virtually free of dust particles, molds and viruses. The empathetic and compassionate environment helps keep the family together in a fully furnished apartment, at no or minimal cost; utilities and household supplies are covered.
Rocky Mountain Housing Development Corporation (Rocky Mountain HDC)
Award: $1,044
Rocky Mountain HDC changes lives by providing housing and related supportive services that engender a safe environment and teach community skills for families with very low to moderate incomes. One of the group’s properties, Arapahoe Green Townhomes, is in unincorporated Arapahoe County, near Aurora. The rental property consists of 60 affordable units, 18 of which are used for transitional housing for homeless families and 42 of which house families with incomes between 40 to 60 percent of the area median income. Residents have access to the Family Services Program which focuses on youth development, family support, and community building. By integrating housing and supportive services, Rocky Mountain HDC is helping families to improve their economic and social well being.
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