NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Christmas Day bombing had widespread damage. City officials say nearly 400 residents and more than 45 businesses were impacted by the Christmas Day bombing.
Buck McCoy was one of those people affected by the bombing.
"I went back to sleep and within 10 minutes of that there was the biggest explosion that ripped everything in my apartment apart, McCoy said, "everything I had was gone."
McCoy lived right above the Old Spaghetti Factory, it was wiped out in the explosion.
"I was wandering down the street like it was 9/11," McCoy said, "I was drenched, walking in 18 degrees."
McCoy recognizes how lucky he is to be alive. Friends took him in right after the explosion and now he's been able to settle into a new place.
But that's not the case for hundreds of other people.
"Anytime there is an issue whether it be a natural disaster or explosion, any kind of rent or mortgage is up to the landowner and landlord," said realtor Brian Copeland, "so you might not receive a waiver to pay rent or mortgage."
Although the blast left hundreds of families displaced and without a home, but even so mortgages and rent still need to be paid.
Brian Copeland, the president of Greater Nashville Realtor's association tells us they've created a fund that can be used for those needing assistance when it comes to paying for housing.
The Realtors Relief Foundation is now accepting applications. Want to apply? Click here.
Assistance is available to qualified applicants towards one of the following options:
1) Monthly mortgage expense for the primary residence that was damaged by the Christmas Day Explosion or;
2) Rental cost due to displacement from the primary residence resulting from the Christmas Day Explosion. Relief assistance is limited to a maximum of $1,000 per applicant per household.
The deadline for application submission is January 31, 2021. Please note this assistance is for housing relief only; other expenses including second mortgages (home equity lines or loans), clothing, appliances, equipment, vehicle purchase, rental or repair and or mileage are ineligible for reimbursement under this program.
