New $100,000 initiative helps families of critically ill children facing housing challenges
The MBA Opens Doors Foundation has announced new initiative to help families affected by the Southern California wildfires.
According to a news release, the MBA Opens Doors Disaster Relief Program will provide $100,000 in funding to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) to offer housing assistance for families dealing with medical emergencies and wildfire-related challenges.
Bob Broeksmit, president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), said the program builds on the foundation’s existing Home Grant Program, which offers grants of up to $2,000 monthly to families facing financial strain due to medical crises.
“For families navigating the sudden loss of their homes, businesses, or jobs while caring for a sick or injured child, the Disaster Relief Program is a tangible reminder that when crises hit, the real estate finance industry is there to help,” he added.
CHLA, one of the foundation’s 13 partner hospitals, will distribute the funding until the $100,000 is fully used. Families seeking aid must meet eligibility requirements for the foundation’s Home Grant Program and submit a statement explaining how the wildfires have affected them.
Deborah E. Dubois, president of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation, underscored the need for targeted assistance programs as natural disasters become more frequent.
“We continue to keep all the people impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles in our thoughts and in our hearts,” said Dubois. “The launch of the MBA Opens Doors Disaster Relief Program addresses the unique needs of families caring for critically ill or injured children who have been impacted by a growing number of natural disasters. I am confident that this relief program will serve as a model for future programs at children’s hospitals across the country.”
Since 2011, the MBA Opens Doors Foundation has provided more than $25 million in mortgage and rental assistance to over 17,000 families through its Home Grant Program. The Disaster Relief Program expands these efforts to address hardships caused by natural disasters.
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