Skip to content

Alberta Realtors rally for Fort Mac families

Facebook site links displaced persons with homes
fort mcmurray
Hundreds of homes lost in Fort McMurray blaze. - Dutchess Sabovitch

The Alberta Real Estate Association, Fort McMurray Realtors and the Canadian Real Estate Association have rallied to link available housing with families burnt out of their Fort McMurray homes.

An estimated 1,600 homes have gone up in flames in the worst wildfire in Alberta’s history. The entire city of 88,000 was evacuated, with residents now scattered across Alberta, and all the way to Atlantic Canada.

The realtors have set up a Facebook group, Realtors Support Fort McMurray to connect displaced families with those who have a home to provide.

The site was packed with offerings this week, with free houses being offered from as far away as Kitimat in northeast B.C.

“Thank you for your outpouring of support for Fort McMurray and offers of help,” posted Jennifer McKenzie, president of the AREA. McKenzie added that the Canadian Realtors Care Foundation is also accepting donations to the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Fires Appeal. “Our thoughts and hearts are with those impacted by the devastation in Fort McMurray.”

McKenzie said many  residents have contacted the AREA about the state of their homes and businesses. "At this point Fort McMurray is still in a state of emergency and still in the first responder phase of this fire; thus we have tremendous limitations on what we can do to answer all the questions they have. As all levels of organizations in Fort McMurray have been affected and limited to what they can do until the next phase of this situation is reached," she said, adding, "It will be a long road ahead, but Fort McMurray will once again thrive."

To provide a home, contact the Realtor campaign through Facebook at, REALTORS® Support Fort McMurray”. 

There could be long-term housing needs for displaced Fort McMurray families, according to the Alberta Emergency Management Agency. “Right now the fire is still so fluid and it is hard to determine a timeline,” said agency spokeswoman Shannnon Greer.

An estimated 30,000 people who fled north of Fort McMurray to evacuation camps when the evacuation was ordered were escorted in vehicle convoys south towards Edmonton over the May 7-8 weekend.

The Alberta government has authorized the immediate release of financial assistance to all fire victims who have registered in evacuation centres or directly with the Red Cross.

“Caucus authorized the Emergency Financial Assistance to 80,000 people,” Greer said. The funds, $1,250 for each adult and $500 to each dependent, were to be delivered by May 11.