About the Grant Program

In 2009, NAR launched the Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants, a $5.2 million program to stimulate REALTORS®' efforts to address the growing need for affordable workforce housing and to help position them as leaders on this issue. This unique, two-year initiative provided grants of $50,000 and up to State REALTOR® Associations and Foundations to support their workforce housing initiatives, with the specific amount of the grant based on association membership size.

Final Report: Tackling Workforce Housing State by State

At the end of the program in December 2010, 52 state and territory associations had been awarded grants totaling $4.93 million. At the 2011 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, NAR released the Ira Gribin Grants final report. The report, Tackling Workforce Housing State by State, is a great resource for associations interested in developing programs in their communities to meet the housing needs of working families.

Download Ira Gribin Grant Final Report: Tackling Workforce Housing State by State (PDF: 6 MB)

The report profiles the 52 programs across the country funded by the Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants program, sharing challenges and lessons learned. It also provides contacts for each program so you can learn more, and identifies NAR staff who can help you get started on your own program.

Year One Progress Report

Check out the Ira Gribin Grants awarded in 2009. Tackling Workforce Housing State by State is a progress report on the first year of the Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants program. The report profiles the 19 workforce housing programs funded in 2009 and provides contacts where you can learn more about specific programs that interest you. See all of the funded programs.

Webinar Recordings

• Review the July 29 Webinar on the Ira Gribin Grants
  
• Review the March 17 Webinar on the Ira Gribin Grants

Program Overview

The Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants seek to provide state REALTOR® foundations and associations with the resources and support to take the initiative to address workforce housing issues in their state. This initiative will also help broaden the public’s understanding and appreciation of REALTORS®' commitment to their communities and to community-building activities.

The Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants will distribute funding directly to state REALTOR® foundations and associations to promote workforce housing initiatives within their state.

The Program ran from 2009-2010. States were eligible for funding in the following amounts:
• States with 5000 or less members will be eligible for $50,000.
• States with more than 5000 members will be eligible for $50,000 plus an additional $2 per member for each member over 5000.

Today’s tight economy and the continuing mortgage crisis are making it more and more challenging for working families to purchase and keep homes. Communities across the country are faced with increasing pressure to provide more affordable workforce housing.

Workforce housing refers to safe, decent housing for working low- and moderate-income people who cannot afford to live in the communities in which they work. Workforce housing initiatives often focus on occupations that provide the bulk of vital services for communities--- teachers, firefighters, police officers, nurses, health care workers—but these grants are also meant to assist a broader range of working people including, retail sales workers, restaurant workers, technicians, office workers, etc.

About Ira Gribin

Ira Gribin, former President of the National Association of Realtors®, was a tireless advocate for fair and affordable housing for diverse populations. This grant initiative honors his memory and promotes REALTORS’® commitment to increase housing opportunities by assisting working families to reach the first rung on the homeownership ladder.

For information, contact
Lora McCray
202-383-7560