Real Estate Articles
REALTOR®: Silicon Valley REALTORS® Raise $25,000 for Housing Industry Foundation
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® will help make life brighter for those having a difficult time remaining in their homes. Members of the local trade association raised $25,000 for the holidays for the Housing Industry Foundation.
Approximately 200 Realtors and affiliates, many of whom were dressed in colorful costumes, attended the 11th annual Home for the Holidays Fundraiser held at the Historic Del Monte Building in Sunnyvale on Oct. 24. Despite troubles in the economy and the housing market, the Realtors, in the true spirit of giving, participated in the live and silent auctions that evening.
Home for the Holidays is SILVAR's largest charitable event of the year. The event ushers in the holiday season, featuring a Halloween theme and an evening that includes a gourmet buffet, live and silent auctions, a raffle, live music and dancing. The event's name was coined because funds raised are used for housing assistance and the fundraiser is organized by individuals who either sell homes or provide services to those who sell homes.
"Home for the Holidays is special because the funds we raise from the event and through sponsorships go directly to HIF programs, stay in the local communities and go to very deserving people," according to SILVAR HIF Committee Chair Dale Collings.
The Housing Industry Foundation (HIF) is a non-profit charity that helps individuals and families in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties either remain in, or return to stable housing. Emergency Housing Grants, which are at the core of HIF's homeless prevention program, assist individuals or families with rent, mortgage, utilities, security deposits and certain repairs on a one-time emergency basis. Funds raised by the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors make up 20 percent of HIF's budget.
HIF Executive Director Debbie Wade thanked the Silicon Valley Realtors and affiliates for their support. "It's been a tough year and we know it's going to be an even tougher year next year," she said.
Wade said she budgets $20,000 per month for emergency grants. Half of the funds are usually gone by the middle of the month. This month of December, she said she already reached the half-way mark on December 3rd.
There are individuals or families living on a very limited income who have little reserve to get past an emergency situation, Wade said. When confronted with an emergency, they are unable to pay their rent, mortgage or utilities.
"HIF's goal is to help them get through a crisis and to give them an opportunity to make whatever changes they can so that they are not homeless," Wade said.
HIF is supported by apartment owners, builders, Realtors, mortgage bankers, accountants, attorneys, insurance companies and other related businesses, has assisted over 4,000 families and individuals with emergency housing assistance grants since its inception in 1989.
"HIF's mission of keeping people in their homes goes right to the heart of our industry," Collings said. "It means families in crisis will have a home for the holidays."
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.