Broadview Heights, May 12, 2017 – The Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS® (ACAR) was awarded a $4,000.00 grant from the National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR) Housing Opportunity Program to support activities that create and expand affordable housing opportunities. The grant will be used for ACAR’s upcoming property management symposium, which is designed to help landlords better understand the law and how to work with a diverse group of tenants, especially those needing affordable housing. Issues such as housing choice vouchers, ADA compliance, domestic violence, mental health, companion animals, and more will be covered.
“REALTORS® build communities and work hard to make housing affordable to all who are willing and able to become homeowners,” said Jim Fox, President of ACAR. “This grant will help raise awareness about the need for more housing opportunities in our community, as well identify and promote solutions that address affordable housing. Through the Housing Opportunity Grants homeownership can become an attainable dream for many hard working American families across the country.”
ACAR, along with the Northeast Ohio Apartment Association, are hosting this forum on June 14, 2017, at St. Michael’s Woodside in Broadview Heights. Guest speakers include Anne Petit, Superintendent, Ohio Division of Real Estate; Attorney Michael Linn; Priscilla Ponter-Kicks (Parma Public Housing); Sandra Lewis (Cleveland Housing Court); and Debbie Barry (Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority). In addition, vendors offering valuable services to property managers will be on hand for networking before and after the program.
Northeast Ohio is no stranger to affordable housing issues, nuisance laws impeding housing, and availability of affordable housing in all neighborhoods – not just those considered to be low–income. Some nuisance laws have provisions that negatively impact some, and local Fair Housing organizations have reported a shortage of affordable housing options in all communities, as well as negative perceptions of Housing Choice Voucher programs and city inspection policies.
Organizers believe the forum will jumpstart a needed conversation and perhaps more property owners/landlords will be open to various programs. Additionally, cities will be encouraged to amend nuisance laws to protect survivors of domestic violence, ensuring they have housing.
NAR’s Housing Opportunity Grants were established in 2006. Individual grants are awarded ten times per year. Since the program’s inception, over 500 grants totaling more than $1.75 million have been awarded.
The grants support a wide range of housing opportunity activities, including housing symposia; home buyer education or housing fairs; counseling and financial literacy efforts; down payment or closing cost financial assistance programs; housing needs studies; and REALTOR ® affordable housing education.
For more information on the upcoming rental forum, please visit www.AkronClevelandRealtors.com, or contact Jamie McMillen or Therese Covell at (216) 901-0130.
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