Assistance for Those Who Have Been Affected by the Central Texas Wildfires
In light of recent wildfires, ABoR is working to help those whose lives have been devastated from the disaster. Below you will find useful information about ways you can join in our efforts to aid those who have been displaced, and assistance resources for REALTORS® who have been affected by the fires. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to all those who are fighting and fleeing the flames.
Texas Association of REALTORS® Offers Assistance
The Texas Association of REALTORS® (TAR) is coordinating efforts to assist members and consumers who have been affected. The Texas REALTORS® Relief Fund is now taking applications from Texans whose primary residence has been damaged by wildfire.
Please direct anyone who may benefit from this assistance to this webpage. Thanks for your help.
Download application (PDF)
Contact Texas REALTORS® Relief Fund.
If you’d like to help your fellow Texans affected by wildfires, send your check to:
Texas REALTORS® Relief Fund
P.O. Box 2246
Austin, Texas 78768-2246
Identify Free or Drastically Reduced Short-term Leases for Evacuees
Subscribers of the Austin Central Texas Realty Information Service (ACTRIS) MLS who are aware of property owners offering free or substantially discounted properties to fire evacuees should enter details into the “Agent Remarks” field of the MLS listing along with the following tag: TXFIRE.
In the “Agent Remarks” field, please include the timeframe that the property is available, the fee per wk/night (if any) and any additional assistance details. Available properties will be featured on AustinHomeSearch.com. If you have questions or comments regarding this public service initiative, please contact Angela Brutsché, ABoR Marketing & Communications Director, at 512-454-7636, ext. 1300.
Guide Homeowners Affected by the Fires in Central Texas to Available Resources
Many consumers may be searching for the necessary steps to either find a new home or continue selling their home. Officials reported that nearly 1,400 homes and 100,000 acres have been destroyed in at least 57 wildfires. Guidance is offered for homeowners, homebuyers and home sellers in the Greater Austin-area and Bastrop County at: www.austinhomesearch.com/disasterrelief.
Relief for Six Texas Counties
Citizens from Bastrop, Colorado, Leon, Houston, Travis and Williamson counties who were affected by the wildfires in Texas now have three convenient ways to register for federal assistance. Residents are urged to apply for aid, as you may be eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
The assistance could include grants for temporary housing, home repairs and other major disaster-related needs, including medical, dental, funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans may also be available from the SBA to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries. However, the assistance cannot duplicate benefits.
Homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations have three ways to register.
- Register online at www.disasterassistance.gov.
- Register on your mobile device at m.fema.gov.
- Register over the phone telephone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.
Residents of the designated counties should register with FEMA even if:
- they have insurance;
- their homes are inaccessible;
- they are renters;
- they already registered with a state, local or nonprofit organization;
- they think they may not be eligible;
- they are waiting to see if their homes were damaged; and/or
- they only had minor damage.
Registering with FEMA is mandatory for federal aid. To register with FEMA, applicants must use the name that appears on their Social Security card and will be asked to provide the following:
- Social Security number;
- address of the damaged home or apartment;
- description of the damage;
- information about insurance coverage;
- acurrent contact telephone number;
- an address where you can receive mail; and
- bankaccount and routing numbers for direct deposit.
Visit and Share in ABoR Online Communities
Discussions about the wildfires and notifications about local REALTORS® who have been affected are being logged within ABoR’s online learning communities. If your company is arranging support for fire victims, please share those details. You are also welcome to post a message on ABoR’s Facebook wall. |
