In tsunami-ravaged areas of the world, $1,000 will build a home, and $10,000 will build a neighborhood. Kauai Board of Realtors members are helping out. Hundreds of thousands of families made homeless and destitute from the tsunami still live in
In tsunami-ravaged areas of the world, $1,000 will build a home, and $10,000 will build a neighborhood. Kauai Board of Realtors members are helping out.
Hundreds of thousands of families made homeless and destitute from the tsunami still live in overcrowded, disease-ridden, and crime-infested relief camps because they have nowhere else to go.
Moving them into transitional and, eventually, permanent housing, is now a critical priority, said a spokesperson for the National Association of Realtors. NAR leaders are partnering with Habitat for Humanity International officials to build “Realtor Villages” comprised of core houses — permanent structures that, in some cases, will be built on the foundation of the previous homes.
“We’ve set a goal to build 1,000 core houses in the hardhit countries of India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the Sumatra area of Indonesia,” an NAR spokesperson said.
Never before has the need for housing been so great. NAR leaders have pledged to raise $1 million for Habitat’s reconstruction program.
“We’re about halfway to our goal. Now we need our local boards, state associations, and MLSs (multiple listing services) to join in the campaign,” the NAR leader said.
Recently, leaders at Makai Properties donated $1,000 to the cause, which gets a home dedicated in the company’s name. Donations of $10,000 or more get an entire neighborhood dedicated in the company’s name.
Every penny raised by the Realtor Tsunami Relief Project will be donated to Habitat for Humanity International to construct the Realtor Villages. All of the administrative costs of conducting the Realtor Tsunami Relief Project are being absorbed by NAR officials.
