Durango, CO – The Durango Area Association of REALTORS® has announced it has funds available for qualified nonprofit organizations that provide housing services to moderate to low-income persons.  Grant applications will be accepted through June 30, 2008.

     “The Durango Area Association of REALTORS® has over $27,000 available for local housing projects,” said Samantha Gallant, local chairperson of the Colorado Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunity Foundation (CARHOF).  “Last year, the association donated over $65,000 to a number of charities including Volunteers of America, Habitat for Humanity, Housing Solutions for the Southwest, Colorado Housing Solutions, LPC Community Development Corp., Southwest Center for Independence, and the Ignacio Community Church.  To date, CARHOF has distributed more than $5.8 million statewide to over 100 nonprofit and public agencies.” 

     CARHOF, a nonprofit foundation established by the Colorado Association of REALTORS®, collects interest from earnest money held in home purchases.  Ordinarily, brokers cannot earn interest on escrow trust accounts.  With CARHOF, however, the interest can be gathered and made available as grants aiding affordable housing programs, crisis shelters and other housing-related projects. To be eligible for funds, organizations must be based in Colorado, have a housing-related mission, and be a nonprofit agency with a 501(c)3 status or a public agency.

     Applications are available at www.coloradorealtors.com under the CARHOF tab. For more information, please call the Durango Area Association of REALTORS® at 970-247-9604.