Initial $500,000 in REALTOR® Relief Funding will Support Eligible Homeowners and Renters Affected by August Storms
INDIANAPOLIS, IN, UNITED STATES, August 29, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — REALTOR® organizations across Indiana are working together to provide relief to residents impacted by the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that struck communities across the state earlier this month.
MIBOR REALTOR® Association and the Indiana Association of REALTORS® (IAR), working in partnership with local REALTOR® associations across Indiana, have secured an initial $500,000 grant from the REALTORS® Relief Foundation to provide housing-related assistance to eligible Indiana homeowners and renters affected by the August 11-18, 2026 storms.
Eligible households may apply for grants of up to $1,000 to assist with qualifying housing-related needs. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis and accepted through November 11, 2026, subject to available funding. The initial $500,000 grant represents the first round of REALTOR® Relief funding for Indiana. MIBOR and IAR will continue working to pursue additional resources as the needs of affected communities become clearer.
“This disaster has affected communities across Indiana, but it has also demonstrated the extraordinary power of people working together,” said Shelley Specchio, CEO of MIBOR REALTOR® Association. “Local REALTOR® associations understand their communities. REALTORS® know their neighbors, their clients and local leaders. By bringing those relationships together with the resources of our state and national REALTOR® organizations, we can help get meaningful assistance directly to Hoosiers who need it.”
A Statewide REALTOR® Response
The relief effort began in the days following the storms as local REALTOR® associations and their REALTOR® members worked to understand the impact to their communities, connect with local leaders and identify where assistance was needed. MIBOR and IAR brought that information together to pursue assistance through the REALTORS® Relief Foundation, which provides housing-related assistance to communities affected by disasters through state and local REALTOR® organizations.
The resulting relief program is a statewide effort, with participating local REALTOR® Associations serving as the connection point for residents in their communities. Local associations will make applications available, review completed applications based on established program requirements, and help approved applicants receive their relief funds. Applicants do not need to be REALTORS® or members of a REALTOR® association.
Assistance is available to eligible Indiana homeowners and renters whose primary residences were impacted by flooding and/or tornadoes associated with the August 11–18 storms.
“The REALTOR® organization is built to mobilize resources to support communities – our members work in all ninety-two counties, so we’re in a unique position to help when tragedy strikes across such a large area of our state,” said Mark Fisher, IAR CEO. “Our hearts go out to the Hoosiers who are working to recover and rebuild, and we’re pleased to be in a position to coordinate a statewide response with our local association partners.”
How to Apply
Effective immediately, applications will be coordinated through participating local REALTOR® associations. Residents affected by the August storms are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Funding will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants and will remain available until the current allocation is exhausted or the application period closes on November 11, 2026.
This relief effort brings together the reach and relationships of REALTOR® organizations at the local, state, and national levels. Local REALTOR® associations are helping identify community needs and connect residents with assistance. MIBOR and IAR are coordinating the statewide effort, while the REALTORS® Relief Foundation is providing initial funding to help eligible households with housing-related needs.
For 25 years, the REALTORS® Relief Foundation has provided housing-related assistance to communities across the country following natural disasters. The Foundation works with state and local REALTOR® associations to bring resources directly into affected communities, helping with needs such as temporary housing, mortgage and rent assistance, and essential repairs necessary to make a home habitable. One hundred percent of REALTORS® Relief Foundation grant funds are distributed directly to disaster victims, with no administrative or compensation costs deducted from the grants.
REALTORS® and members of the public are encouraged to share information about the program with affected homeowners, renters, neighbors, friends, and family members. The goal is simple: make sure available assistance reaches Indiana residents who need it.
About MIBOR REALTOR® Association
MIBOR REALTOR® Association is the professional association representing REALTORS® throughout central Indiana. Founded in 1912, MIBOR empowers members and strengthens communities through collaboration, advocacy, professionalism, education, and innovation. MIBOR serves nearly 10,000 REALTOR® and Affiliate members across 14 counties and is dedicated to helping individuals, families, businesses and communities thrive through property ownership.
About the Indiana Association of REALTORS®
The Indiana Association of REALTORS® (IAR) is the state’s largest professional organization, representing 21,000 REALTORS® working across all ninety-two counties. Members guide Hoosiers on the journey to buying or selling a home with a higher set of professional standards and strict Code of Ethics while advocating for affordable and accessible homeownership. Learn more at IndianaRealtors.com.
About the REALTORS® Relief Foundation
The REALTORS® Relief Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to providing housing-related assistance to communities impacted by disasters. Since its creation following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Foundation has distributed more than $53 million in disaster relief and assisted communities in all 50 states and U.S. territories. One hundred percent of contributions to the Foundation are used for disaster relief, with administrative expenses covered by the National Association of REALTORS®.
Media Contacts
MIBOR REALTOR® Association
Paula Scheller
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
MIBOR REALTOR® Association
(317) 956-1912
paulascheller@mibor.com
Indiana Association of REALTORS®
Chris Watts
Vice-President, Public Affairs
(317) 514-3184 call/text
cwatts@IndianaRealtors.com
MIBOR
Paula Scheller
paulascheller@mibor.com
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