Image courtesy RASM: Home impacted by flooding.

The Realtors Association of Sarasota and Manatee will dole out $300,000 to help Hurricane Debby victim with their mortgage and rent. But applicants must send applications in before the end of October, and they can only receive up to $2,000.

“We believe as a Realtor family that we have to take care of the people in our community,” said Tony Barrett, RASM president, in a press conference.

Debby made landfall in Steinhatchee in the Big Bend region as a Category 1 hurricane on Aug. 5 and delivered significant flooding and wind damage in this region. The area also took a blow from Hurricane Helene, which affected many of the same parts of the state but made landfall on Sept. 26 as a more powerful Category 4 storm. But importantly, the funding through RASM will only be available to those specifically impacted by Debby, not Helene. Those only disrupted by the latter storm cannot receive these funds.

“When we applied for the grant, it was obviously before Helene hit,” said Jeff Arakelian, CEO for RASM. “It was before Helene was even a hurricane.”

The organization had applied for the grant from the National Association of Realtors and secured funding from the Realtors Relief Fund. Arakelian did direct Helene victims, especially RASM members, to resources with the Florida Realtors, which has some resources immediately available to Helene victims.

Debby victims, in order to apply for relief, must show their home was affected by Debby, and that it was a primary residence. While second homes, vacation homes and properties rented to others are not eligible for the grants, funding will be available to both homeowners and renters  who need assistance with their mortgage or monthly rent.

Some documentation must be provided showing their monthly rent or mortgage cost. Arakelian said the intent is to pay the full month of that, so someone who pays $1,800 a month in rent would get $1,800. But the foundation will only issue assistance for up to the first $2,000 or rent or mortgage payment. Funding can also be used to cover temporary housing costs, such as hotel payments.

Grants will be doled out on a first-come, first-served basis. The local foundation on a weekly basis will review applications.

An application portal can be found at MyRASM.com/disasterrelief. Contact debbyrelief@myrasm.com or 941-952-3400 for more information.

Image courtesy RASM: Home impacted by flooding.