The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) is stepping up to provide support for the province's already stretched shelter system during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Announced Tuesday morning, OREA will be donating $480,000 to provide immediate relief for more than 50 Ontario shelters and shelter-based charities throughout the province through the Ontario REALTORS Care Foundation (ORCF).
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“Ontario’s Realtors are deeply connected to the people, places and happenings that make our neighbourhoods home. With so many local shelters struggling to respond to increased demand, new procedures and outbreaks, we needed to do something to help,” said OREA President, Sean Morrison.
“It is our hope that this donation will help shelters and food banks through this incredibly difficult time. And when this is behind us, Ontario Realtors will still be there, as they’ve been for more than 40 years, raising money to support our local shelters and food banks.”
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The funding will be distributed by the ORCF, an organization that has supported shelter-based organizations throughout the province since 1977 and receives its funding through the generosity of Ontario’s Realtors.
In 2019 alone, the foundation raised more than $1.2 million for shelter-based organizations and today’s donation is another example of OREA’s and ORCF’s longstanding commitment to helping families in need of emergency and permanent housing.
“Now more than ever, our local communities and shelters need our support,” said Kevin Crigger, President, Ontario REALTORS Care Foundation.
“I’d like to thank the OREA Board of Directors for their continued support of the Foundation and for their work in responding to the current COVID crisis. This funding is consistent with the socially responsible leadership that OREA, its 37 Member Boards and its Realtor Members provide to the Ontario communities they serve.”
According to OREA, the donation is being redirected from the association's one-time $5 million dollar grant to the Ontario REALTORS Care Foundation (ORCF) made earlier this year and will be directed to local charities by OREA’s 37 Member Boards.
