Real estate professionals know the impact of move-in day—it often symbolizes a significant transition for the person or family making the move.
And for the people assisted by A Safe Haven Foundation, a Chicago-based nonprofit helping move individuals and families experiencing homelessness into permanent housing, it can represent a second chance.
The National Association of REALTORS® 2026 extended leadership team partnered with A Safe Haven this week to pack 48 “welcome” laundry baskets filled with shampoo, toothpaste, cooking utensils, sponges and other essentials to help these individuals settle in with respect and joy.
“The transformative effect of having a place to call your own is real,” says NAR President-Elect Kevin Brown, an Oakland, Calif., broker. “Gaining access to housing is a crucial first step toward achieving stability and rewriting your story for generations to come. I want to thank A Safe Haven for allowing NAR to play a small part in helping serve these individuals with compassion.”
“These baskets enable individuals to allocate their limited resources to other essential expenses, such as rent and utilities,” says Ann Sickon, VP of development and advisory board chair of A Safe Haven, which also provides services like meals, mental health care, education and employment pathways. “Providing these baskets upon move-in makes the new apartment feel more like a home, supports the person's transition and provides a sense of dignity.”
To accompany each gift basket, NAR leadership team members handwrote letters of encouragement.
The team chose this activity as a meaningful way to usher in Brown’s presidential term. Brown officially becomes NAR president at the end of NAR NXT in November.
The baskets directly impact the most vulnerable members of the northwest Indiana and Chicago communities—the latter is where NAR is headquartered.
“‘REALTORS® Are Good Neighbors’ is more than just a tagline for our members’ community service activities,” says CEO Nykia Wright. “It’s a fact. NAR members give back across the country and make a remarkable impact in the communities where they live and work. It’s a core part of who they are.”
As the largest trade association in the country protecting property owners’ rights, NAR is committed to increasing access to affordable housing. NAR supports this goal through backing policies that increase housing availability and affordability.
“Real estate professionals see firsthand the financial squeeze Americans are feeling and are uniquely positioned to advocate for affordable housing solutions in their backyards,” Wright says. “NAR members are supported by their local, state and national associations to be drivers of change in their communities. Working to increase affordable housing supports our mission to advance the right to real property for all.”
