FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2025
Milwaukee, WI — The Commercial Association of REALTORS® Wisconsin (CARW), in partnership with the REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF), announced today that financial assistance is now available for homeowners and renters whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the historic August 10th floods.
Through a $125,000 grant from the RRF, eligible households in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties may apply for up to $1,000 in housing relief. The application deadline is November 19, 2025, and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
“This effort is about maximizing our impact—helping as many people as possible during this critical time,” said Jenna Maguire, Chair of the CARW Board of Directors.
Kevin Schmoldt, Past Chair of the CARW Board, added: “Commercial REALTORS® care deeply about residents impacted by flooding because strong communities are the foundation of strong markets—when people are displaced, businesses suffer too. Supporting recovery helps both families and the local economy get back on their feet.”
Tracy Johnson, CARW President & CEO, emphasized: “The REALTORS® Relief Foundation is critical for immediate response in delivering national dollars to local communities where it is needed most.”
Application Process
Applicants must submit the following:
- Completed application with signature (docusign or wet signature required)
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Photo ID
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Copy of mortgage statement or new lease agreement
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Photos of home/unit damage, insurance estimates, or repair expenses
- If displaced, please provide a copy of valid hotel or Airbnb receipt
Ways to Apply*:
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Email: Request the form at FloodRelief2025@carw.com. Completed forms and documents may be emailed or mailed to CARW, 250 E Wisconsin Ave., Suite 725, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
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Online: Download and complete the fillable or non-fillable form from CARW’s website.
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In-Person: Apply on September 25, 2025, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at 1482 S. 84th Street, West Allis, WI 53214. Additional dates will be announced.
*the financial assistance is available for primary residences only.
Applications will be reviewed by CARW Members and Staff, with final approval by RRF. Approved applicants will be notified by email, and payments will be mailed within approximately two weeks.
Downloadable form and details may be found at www.carw.com/floodrelief2025
Background on the Floods
The August 2025 floods—considered a 1,000-year event—devastated Southeast Wisconsin:
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Milwaukee County: More than 2,200 homes destroyed or severely damaged, $34M in infrastructure losses, 5.14 billion gallons of untreated wastewater overflow, 65 water rescues, and two fatalities.
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Waukesha County: Nearly 900 homes reported damaged, with 314 classified as major or destroyed; $4.4M in public infrastructure losses.
While the State of Wisconsin and Milwaukee County have issued Emergency Declarations, a Federal Declaration has not yet been made, delaying FEMA funding. CARW has coordinated with Milwaukee and Waukesha County Emergency Management Offices to prioritize relief where it is needed most.
Contact Information
For questions, email FloodRelief2025@carw.com or call 414.253.7939.
To donate directly to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation, click HERE.
About the REALTORS® Relief Foundation
The REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) was established in 2001 by the National Association of REALTORS® to provide housing-related assistance to victims of disasters. Since its inception, RRF has disbursed over $40 million in aid, helping thousands of families across the United States.