Charleston Trident REALTORS Association

No one knows better than real estate brokers how expensive it is to buy a house these days.

So, the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors® has created the Realtors Housing Opportunities Fund (RHOF – pronounced “roof”) at CCF to support local organizations, which promote affordable housing opportunities through development, education, maintenance and repair. It’s their way of trying to keep the dream of homeownership alive for those who can’t afford the area’s rising home prices.

“We’re putting a face on the need for affordable housing,” said Ruthie Smythe, co-chair of the Realtors® Housing Opportunities Committee. “Today, that is a fireman, a nurse, a teacher, a social worker—the backbone of our community,” says Smythe.

RHOF is a donor-advised fund, which means The Realtors® Committee members recommend grants to support charitable organizations like United Methodist Relief Center and Habitats that provide affordable housing, as well as those renovating and restoring properties. But that’s not all. The Charleston Realtors® recognize that education is also important, so RHOF will offer classes in credit counseling for potential homeowners, and seminars for agents to better serve the needs of their clients.

Funds are being raised through the generosity of the individual membership (2,650 Realtors® representing 500 firms), as well as through the interest earned from escrow accounts, donations and other gifts.

So far, the members of RHOF have made 46 grants totaling $83,000 to a range of organizations, including:

• Habitat for Humanity of Berkeley County – A non-profit ecumenical housing ministry that builds new homes for low-income families.
• Lowcountry Housing & Economic Development Foundation - To support two educational programs: Lowcountry Individual Development Account Program and the Section 8/ Public Housing Homeownership Program.
• Operation Home – To help put a new roof on the home of an elderly Charleston couple.
• Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Services – To provide materials and labor costs for the replacement of windows in a James Island home.
• Rural Mission – To buy supplies to create wheelchair ramps for low-income families on Johns Island as well as the islands of Wadmalaw, Yonges, and Edisto.