WASHINGTON, November 09, 2007 -

The National Association of Realtors® is joining the struggle to end homelessness for the nation’s veterans. Today, NAR is sponsoring the inaugural U.S. Veterans Day Golf Tournament in Washington, D.C.; all proceeds will benefit U.S. VETS–D.C., a unique residential community offering permanent housing and other supportive services for homeless veterans. Then on Monday, November 12, during the 2007 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, NAR leadership will visit the U.S. VETS facility there to make a donation that will help house and educate homeless vets in the Las Vegas area.

According to the Homelessness Research Institute, military veterans represent more than 25 percent of the U.S. homeless population, although they comprise only 11 percent of the civilian adult population. An estimated 2,500 veterans in D.C. are homeless, as are more than 5,000 veterans in Clark County (Las Vegas), according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“The homelessness rate among our veterans is unacceptable to Realtors®, who believe in building safe, healthy communities,” said NAR President Pat V. Combs, of Grand Rapids, Mich., and vice president of Coldwell Banker-AJS-Schmidt. “As the leading advocate for housing issues, NAR is proud to help in this important effort to end homelessness among our country’s veterans. Many of our members are veterans and active service personnel who know firsthand the struggles and sacrifices faced by those who have fought to protect our safety and freedom.”

NAR is also committed to helping veterans realize the dream of homeownership through its support of the VA Home Loan program and advocacy efforts to revise the G.I. bill to make homeownership more attainable for our nation’s vets, Combs said.

U.S. VETS is a national nonprofit organization. Its mission is the successful reintegration of homeless veterans to reach their highest level of independence. Nationally, U.S. VETS is the largest provider of supportive housing for homeless veterans, with 10 programs across the United States. Through the services and support U.S. VETS offers, homeless veterans are empowered to take responsibility for their recovery, go back to work and regain independence.

“Thanks to NAR’s support, we can do more to give veterans in need the tools to rebuild their lives and realize their dreams,” said Stephanie Buckley, U.S. VETS regional director. “We are so appreciative of NAR’s contribution and efforts.”

For more information about how to support U.S. VETS’ efforts, visit www.usvetsinc.org.

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
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Bennington VT, Press Release

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