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East County News ServiceMay 26, 2024 (El Cajon) – Two of San Diego’s largest realtor trade associations, the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), with an office in El Cajon, and the San Diego Association of Realtors (SDAR), are reminding San Diego flood victims that Friday, May 31 is the deadline to apply for the opportunity to receive financial assistance.
The two realtor trade associations were jointly awarded in March a $1.16 million grant from the Realtors Relief Foundation (RRF) to assist flood survivors. RRF is affiliated with the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Since then, officials with the two realtor associations said they have been meeting to review applications and reach out to community leaders and organizations about the RRF grant. Applications for more than 100 families are on schedule for approval, but the realtor groups are hoping to double this before the May 31 deadline.
The RRF grants limit the amount awarded to each approved applicant to one payment equal to the amount of their monthly housing payment, and with the maximum amount capped at $2,900.
RRF, founded in 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, is a nonprofit that provides housing-related assistance to disaster impacted communities through the generosity of REALTORS®, state and local associations and industry partners. PSAR and SDAR became eligible to receive the RRF grant after a disaster declaration from the U.S. President, which was issued on Feb 19th.
“I’m so very proud of our PSAR members who have supported efforts to help our neighbors rebuild their homes and their lives,” said Laurie MacDonald, 2024 President, PSAR. “REALTORS® are the most active professionals to volunteer in their local communities. We are actively doing our part to foster both stable financial futures and robust communities.”
Many affected homeowners reside in several vulnerable San Diego neighborhoods, including Encanto, Mountain View and Southcrest, along with other communities, including Lemon Grove, National City and Spring Valley.
“SDAR is excited to see the large number of applications that we have received so far for flood assistance. We want to continue to encourage everyone who knows someone affected by the January storms to remind them about this opportunity for financial assistance,” said Spencer Lugash, SDAR President. “As always, we will continue to remain dedicated to our mission of helping families achieve generational wealth through the American dream of homeownership.”
Flood victims can find more information about the application process at www.psar.org/floodrelief and www.sdar.com.
The rains began on Jan. 21 and continued the next day, with much of the damage occurring on Jan. 22, the fourth-wettest day in San Diego since record-keeping began in 1850, and the wettest January day on record.
The storm forced people to flee their homes and some residents barely got out before the waters invaded their homes, while others were stranded for hours, some seeking refuge atop roofs. The aftermath has involved many scrambling for temporary lodging in motels and hotels, waiting for insurance claims to be processed and repair work on flooded homes to get underway. Many residents lost everything in the flood and are starting over.
It’s believed that a total of 2,400 households, nearly all in underserved communities where flood insurance coverage is low, were impacted by the ensuing floods, which affected roughly 7,750 people, displaced 1,225 households and caused more than $30 million in damage, according to county records.
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