The Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS® (GCAAR), the local REALTOR® association serving Montgomery County, Md. and the District of Columbia, and the nonprofit Yachad have launched a three-year strategic partnership focused on the wealth creation of families in lower-income communities of color by preserving housing where families currently reside.
Through the partnership, GCAAR will support Yachad’s Healthy Housing Remediation Program, which preserves and makes existing housing safe while building new equity for single-family homeowners within the targeted communities. GCAAR’s financial support will be matched by one of Yachad’s community partners to budget for repair and remediation services for an additional 20-25 homes. GCAAR members will be invited to help in the effort by serving as volunteers.
Yachad was founded in 1990 to respond to a critical lack of affordable and decent housing in the metro area. Since then, Yachad continues to promote social justice by preserving and remediating affordable housing through local partnerships, and has broadened its focus to concentrate on housing health and on the home as the leading source of family wealth and equity.
“Where you live matters in terms of a family’s health, housing equity and a stable place to call home,” said Yachad Executive Director Audrey Lyon. “Yachad is delighted to be in partnership with GCAAR to bring greater resources to this work with D.C. homeowners.”
“As living costs increase, it becomes increasingly difficult for many families to keep their homes and afford the cost of maintenance. Homeowners deserve to pass to their children the equity they’ve built; this partnership will help ensure Yachad’s mission continues to be fulfilled,” said 2023 GCAAR President Avi Adler.
“Yachad’s commitment to preserving housing and maintaining homeownership in communities of color is a natural fit for GCAAR as we continue to advocate for affordable housing and help families build generational wealth,” said GCAAR Chief Executive Officer Edward Krauze. “Our REALTOR® members come from diverse backgrounds and are committed to giving back to the communities they serve.”
About Yachad
Yachad, the Jewish housing organization of Washington, D.C., brings together local communities to make affordable housing safe and healthy, creating equity and wealth for families while preserving and revitalizing neighborhoods. Yachad, which means “together” in Hebrew, partners with homeowners, houses of worship, nonprofits and other community stakeholders. Guided by the Jewish commitment to seek justice through acts of loving kindness, Yachad welcomes all people to share in our sacred work. Visit yachad.org for details.
About GCAAR
The Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS®, one of the largest local REALTOR® associations in the U.S., is the voice for REALTORS® in Washington, D.C. and Montgomery County, Maryland. Representing more than 12,000 real estate professionals in the greater capital area, GCAAR provides services vital to its members’ daily business needs and works with lawmakers to ensure public policy that encourages homeownership and supports the real estate industry. For more information, visit GCAAR.com.
