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Housing Opportunity Grant Regulations

Level One Regulations and Funding Process

  • Funding is available to host either an Employer-Assisted Housing (EAH) or Expanding Housing Opportunities (EHO) class or other educational activity such as a speaker who can address specific affordable housing issues impacting your community.
  • Funding is available only to local and state REALTOR® associations (other EAH and EHO Sponsors are not eligible to apply).
  • Activities and events supported by the Housing Opportunity grant program must take place within the jurisdiction of the association that was awarded the grant.
  • Requests of up to $1,500 may be made; however, a lesser amount may be awarded.
  • Applications should be submitted at least 30 days before the date of the event. 
  • Associations that want to host the EAH or EHO class must submit the Class Notification Form before submitting the grant application. 
  • Applications cannot be submitted for an event that has already taken place.
  • Associations may receive no more than two Level 1 grant awards per calendar year.
  • Starting January 1, 2015, funds disbursed through the Housing Opportunity grant program will be awarded through the following reimbursement process:
    • NAR program staff will approve Level 1 applications and funding amounts.
    • The association will submit to NAR proof of money spent totaling the amount of the grant award. Acceptable forms of proof of money spent include an invoice from a vendor, a signed contract with a consultant/speaker, receipts for items purchased, and cancelled checks.
    • The request for reimbursement must be made within 90 days of the completion of the activity for which the grant was awarded.
    • Once all documentation is received, NAR will send to the association a check in the amount of the incurred costs.
    • The activity must take place within one year of approval notification from NAR in order to be eligible for funding reimbursement.
  • Recipients must submit an evaluation upon the completion of the activity for which funds were received.
  • Failure to complete the evaluation will cause the association to be ineligible to apply for future Housing Opportunity Program Grants.

  Level Two Regulations and Funding Process

  • Funding is available only to local and state REALTOR® associations.
  • Activities and events supported by the Housing Opportunity grant program must take place within the jurisdiction of the association that was awarded the grant.
  • Requests of up to $5,000 can be made; however, a lesser amount may be awarded.
  • Applications cannot be submitted for an activity that has already taken place.
  • Associations may receive no more than two Level 2 grant awards per calendar year.
  • Applications cannot be submitted for an activity previously supported by a Housing Opportunity Program Grant unless the activity has been significantly expanded or enhanced.
  • Grant funds cannot be used for the following: a donation to another organization; as fundraising dollars; as money to hold a fundraiser; to pay for materials for the construction or rehab of homes; to pay for landscaping materials; to pay for REALTOR® association staff time/hours; or to pay for general operating expenses.
  • Activities that are complex, ongoing, involve partnerships and/or have a broad community reach tend to qualify for higher levels of funds than one-time events (such as workshops, fairs, forums, and similar activities) or activities that benefit only one family/individual.
  • Starting January 1, 2015, funds disbursed through the Housing Opportunity grant program will be awarded through the following reimbursement process:
    • The review panel, made up of members of the NAR Housing Opportunity Committee will approve Level 2 applications and funding amounts.
    • The association will submit to NAR proof of money spent totaling the amount of the grant award. Acceptable forms of proof of money spent include an invoice from a vendor, a signed contract with a consultant/speaker, receipts for items purchased, and cancelled checks.
    • The request for reimbursement must be made within 90 days of the completion of the activity for which the grant was awarded.
    • Once all documentation is received, NAR will send to the association a check in the amount of the incurred costs.
    • The activity must take place within one year of approval notification from NAR in order to be eligible for funding reimbursement.
  • Recipients must submit an evaluation upon the completion of the activity for which funds were received.
  • Failure to complete the evaluation will cause the association to be ineligible to apply for future Housing Opportunity Program Grants.

Level Two Funding Decisions

Level Two applications will be reviewed by a group of members of the NAR Housing Opportunity Committee. The group will consider the following when making funding decisions:

  • Alignment with Housing Opportunity Program goal
    Does the proposed activity support the goal of positioning, educating, and assisting REALTORS® to create housing opportunities for all?
  • Quality of the proposed activity
    Is the proposed activity of high-quality with a clear purpose, well-defined action items, and measurable goals?
  • Commitment
    Does the proposed activity involve a significant level of commitment from the applicant in terms of member involvement, financial contribution, and staff time?
  • Critical need
    Does the applicant explain how the proposed activity will address a specific affordable housing need in the area served by the association.

Level Three Regulations and Funding Process

  • For 2016 the areas of focus for the Level 3 grant include affordable housing for older adults; affordable housing needs of veterans; and ways to address homelessness. The proposed activity must address a critical need in one of these three areas. Applications that do not meet that criterion will not be considered.
  • Funding is available only to local and state REALTOR® associations.
  • Activities and events supported by the Housing Opportunity grant program must take place within the jurisdiction of the association that was awarded the grant.
  • Associations are eligible to receive a maximum of one Level 3 grant per calendar year.
  • Requests of up to $15,000 can be made; however, a lesser amount may be awarded by the review committee.
  • Multiple associations can apply for a grant for the same activity; however, the combined funding request cannot exceed $15,000.
  • Applicant must make a financial contribution toward the activity that is equal to a minimum of 10% of the requested grant amount.
  • Activity must include working with at least one non-REALTOR® primary partner organization (e.g. housing nonprofit, government agency, local employer, etc.)
  • Grant funds cannot be used for the following: a donation to another organization (unless there is significant REALTOR® activity as part of a collaborative effort); fundraising dollars; money to hold a fundraiser; to pay for materials for the construction or rehab of homes; to pay for landscaping materials; to pay for REALTOR® association staff time/hours; or to pay for general operating expenses.
  • Applications cannot be submitted for an activity that has already taken place.
  • Funds disbursed as a Level 3 Housing Opportunity grant will be awarded through the following reimbursement processes:
    • The review panel, made up of members of the NAR Housing Opportunity Committee will approve Level 3 applications and funding amounts.
    • The association will submit to NAR proof of money spent totaling the amount of the grant award plus the required 10% minimum financial contribution from the association. For example, applications for a $15,000 grant must show a $1,500 financial contribution from the association. The association will need to provide proof of money spent totaling $16,500.
    • If the activity is executed for less than the budgeted amount, the grant award paid by NAR will be prorated.  For example, if receipts are submitted totaling $11,000, NAR will reimburse $10,000. The remaining $1,000 would be considered the applicant’s required minimum 10% contribution toward the activity and will not be reimbursed.
    • Acceptable forms of proof of money spent include an invoice from a vendor, a signed contract with a consultant/speaker, receipts for items purchased, and cancelled checks.
    • The request for reimbursement must be made within 90 days of the completion of the activity for which the grant was awarded.
    • Once all documentation is received, NAR will send to the association a check in the amount of the incurred costs.
    • The activity must take place within one year of approval notification from NAR in order to be eligible for funding reimbursement.
  • Recipients must submit an evaluation upon the completion of the activity for which funds were received.
  • Failure to complete the evaluation will cause the association to be ineligible to apply for future Housing Opportunity Program Grants.

Level Three Funding Decisions

Level Three applications will be reviewed by a group of leaders and members of the Housing Opportunity Committee. The group will consider the following when making funding decisions:

  • Alignment with Housing Opportunity Program goal
    Does the proposed activity support the goal of positioning, educating, and assisting REALTORS® to create housing opportunities?
  • Quality of the proposed activity
    Is the proposed activity of high-quality with a clear purpose, well-defined action items, and measurable goals?
  • Critical need
    Does the applicant thoroughly explain the affordable housing issue that needs to be addressed?
  • Impact
    Will the proposed activity have a positive impact on the critical need that has been identified?
  • Partnerships
    Does the proposed activity create or expand strategic partnerships between Realtors® and other key community partners?
  • Commitment
    Does the proposed activity involve a significant level of commitment from the association in terms of member involvement, financial contribution, and staff time.

For further information, contact:
Wendy Penn
Manager, Housing Opportunity Program
National Association of REALTORS®
500 New Jersey Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
202/383-7504
202/434-9693 (fax)
wpenn@realtors.org