Florida Realtors® Calls for 'Homes for Hometown Heroes'

ORLANDO, Fla., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Teachers. Firefighters. Military personnel. Nurses. Police officers. The list goes on and on: Many people who provide vital services that strengthen our communities can't afford to own a home or live where they work.

To help educate consumers and real estate professionals about the crucial need for workforce housing, Florida Realtors® has designated the week of July 11-17, 2010, as Florida Welcome Home Week – "Homes for Hometown Heroes."

"Realtors are on the frontlines of the state's housing market," says 2010 Florida Realtors President Wendell Davis, a broker with Watson Realty Corp. in Jacksonville. "We understand from personal experience that a lack of housing opportunities threatens the vitality and future of Florida's communities. Realtors in Florida are committed to helping make a difference for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to own a home, especially in the areas where these 'Hometown Heroes' provide crucial services."

Throughout July 11-17, turn up the radio and listen for Florida Realtors ads promoting "Homes for Hometown Heroes," which will air during traffic reports at peak drive times on radio stations across the state. Along with showcasing the need for workforce housing, the radio spots also note how working with a Realtor – a professional who can provide guidance and expert advice – helps these Hometown Heroes realize their dreams of homeownership.

The radio media campaign is made possible by a $100,000 grant from the National Association of Realtors' (NAR) Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants, awarded to state Realtor associations or their housing foundations to support workforce housing initiatives in their states.

A lack of housing opportunities causes a ripple effect, according to industry experts. Community leaders across Florida are recognizing the link between workforce housing and the positive economic and social health of their communities. Affordable housing shortages close to work leads to longer commutes, traffic congestion, urban sprawl and limited services that degrade all residents' quality of life.

Florida Realtors®, formerly known as the Florida Association of Realtors®, serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 115,000 members in 67 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.

SOURCE Florida Realtors