National grant expands statewide housing relief program for residents displaced by Colorado’s 2026 summer wildfires
The Colorado Association of REALTORS® Foundation (CAR Foundation) has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the National Association of REALTORS®’ REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) to expand housing-related disaster assistance for Coloradans displaced by the state’s 2026 summer wildfires.
The grant will bolster the CAR Foundation’s statewide wildfire relief program, which launched in July to provide mortgage and rental assistance to households impacted by this summer’s devastating fires.
Funded through donations from REALTORS® and REALTOR® organizations nationwide and administered by the CAR Foundation, eligible applicants may now receive up to $1,000 per household in housing-related assistance. Applications will be accepted through October 30, 2026, or until available funds have been distributed.
Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified applicants who have been displaced from their primary residence due to a Colorado summer 2026 wildfire. Grants may be used for:
- Monthly mortgage expenses for a primary residence damaged by the wildfire; or
- Rental costs resulting from displacement from the primary residence.
“Colorado REALTORS® have always stepped forward to help our neighbors during times of crisis, and this partnership with the REALTORS® Relief Foundation allows us to extend that commitment even further,” said Robert Walkowicz, 2026 CAR Foundation Chair. “As communities across our state continue to recover from this summer’s devastating wildfires, we’re grateful to provide meaningful housing assistance that helps families begin moving forward.”
The REALTORS® Relief Foundation grant builds upon relief efforts the CAR Foundation began immediately following the fires, ensuring additional funding is available for residents still facing housing challenges. Similar partnerships between the CAR Foundation and RRF have provided millions of dollars in housing assistance following previous Colorado disasters, including the Marshall Fire.
“RRF is proud to support Colorado families recovering from this Summer’s wildfires. This grant ensures more residents have the housing stability they need to begin rebuilding their lives,” said Greg J. Hrabcak, President of the REALTORS® Relief Foundation.
Grant funds are intended solely for housing-related expenses. Ineligible expenses include hotel or motel stays, clothing, appliances, equipment, vehicle purchases or repairs, and other non-housing costs.
Applicants must provide proof of residency and documentation of damage or displacement.
Grant details and the online application are available at carfoundation.org/initiatives/disaster-relief/.
“When disaster strikes, it impacts far more than homes, it disrupts families, livelihoods, and entire communities. The REALTORS® Relief Foundation exists to help provide stability and hope during those incredibly difficult moments. We are proud to stand alongside Colorado REALTORS® as they support the communities and neighbors affected by these devastating fires. REALTORS® are deeply rooted in the places they serve, and when their communities are hurting, they step up. RRF is honored to stand with them, providing resources that help families begin the difficult journey toward recovery. This is what it means to be a REALTOR®: showing up for our communities when they need us most,” said Kitty Wallace, Vice President of the REALTORS® Relief Foundation.
Applications will be accepted through October 30, 2026, with Foundation representatives reviewing applications and issuing approved relief payments on a rolling basis.
About the Colorado Association of REALTORS®:
The Colorado Association of REALTORS® is the state’s largest real estate trade association representing more than 30,000 members statewide. The association supports private property rights, equal housing opportunities and is the “Voice of Real Estate” in Colorado. For more information, visit coloradorealtors.com.
About the Colorado Association of REALTORS® Foundation:
The Colorado Association of REALTORS® Foundation supports safe and attainable housing, advances homeownership for all Coloradans, and provides housing-related disaster assistance to our neighbors in need. Over 30+ years of operations, the CAR Foundation has invested more than $11 million to support Colorado communities, touching more than 100,000 lives. For more information, visit CARFoundation.org.
About the REALTORS® Relief Foundation:
The REALTORS® Relief Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to providing housing-related assistance to victims of disasters. Created as a REALTOR®-driven response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, RRF continues to restore and rebuild communities affected by disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes thanks to the generosity of individual REALTORS®, REALTOR® Associations, and affiliated organizations. Every dollar donated goes directly to victims of disasters. The National Association of REALTORS® is pleased to cover 100% of administrative expenses.