Applications are now open for CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation's Community and Transformation Grants to support local housing- and shelter-related initiatives.

Today marks the end of REALTORS^® Care Week, an annual event that provides the Realtor community with an opportunity to raise awareness of housing and shelter-related issues and causes. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of the home as a place of safety and refuge. However, thousands of Canadians are homeless or at risk of losing their home, a situation that has only been made worse by the coronavirus, making this year's event especially significant.

After a four-month application and selection process, the CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation has officially announced the recipients of its 2020 Community and Transformation grants.

CREB® Charitable Foundation honoured at Inn from the Cold

The CREB® Charitable Foundation was honoured at Inn from the Cold's newest shelter opening ceremony for its $125,000 donation on Dec. 19.

On Sept. 26, the CREB® Charitable Foundation donated $300,000 to three deserving local charities through its Investing in HOPE program at its 30th anniversary celebration.

A variety of the foundation's donors, sponsors, local charities and REALTORS® filled CREB®'s atrium to celebrate the foundation's 30-year legacy. Attendees shared stories of community impact and toasted to its future.

Inn from the Cold reports consistent number of bed stays to 2015

A haven of hope – that's how many guests at Inn from the Cold describe Alberta's only barrier-free shelter exclusively for families, which continues to see capacity-like numbers leading into one of its busiest times of the year.

"One of the things we're doing here is restoring dignity," said director of donor relations Janeen Webb.

In the face of Alberta's ongoing economic downturn, Inn from the Cold has reported about 30,000 bed stays so far in 2016. Webb said that's consistent with 2015 when the organization saw almost 40,000 stays by year's end.

Calgary REALTORS® demonstrate the capacity to give

Whether Christian Twomey is hopping on a motorcycle for a four-day ride or building a home in El Salvador, chances are he's doing it for charity.

In his 17 years in real estate, the RE/MAX Landan agent has become known for his charitable endeavors. Now he's being recognized with his firm's Hall of Fame Award, after having received a Lifetime Achievement award two years ago and more recently, RE/MAX of Western Canada's Community Care Award.

CREB staff take in shelter from perspective of single-mothers

As part of Claire's Campaign 2015, members of the public were invited to experience Calgary's Inn from the Cold from a perspective of a single-mother.

Claire's Campaign is named for the mother of businessman and philanthropist Gary Nissen, who has offered to match every donation made to Inn from the Cold during the month of May to a maximum of $200,000.

Some CREB staff participated in the experience today, here's a timeline of what went down.