Connecting Tenants to Private Market Landlords

In supportive housing projects in which tenants lease housing units directly from private market property owners using a rental subsidy (tenant-based), successfully connecting tenants with housing units that meet their needs requires:

1. A primary service provider who ensures that tenants can access a comprehensive array of flexible and voluntary supportive services that support their ability to obtain and sustain stable housing.
2. Housing management staff who assist tenants in locating housing, understanding their rights and responsibilities as tenants and serving as an ongoing liaison to the landlord.
3. Landlords who are willing to receive the rent subsidy associated with the supportive housing and accept tenants who may have poor credit, criminal backgrounds or previous evictions.

 

There are five primary steps in the process of successfully connecting tenants to housing units owned by private market landlords:

• Step 1:  Work with the Tenant to Develop a Housing Search Plan - In order to frame the housing search process, it is important to have a clear idea of the tenant’s needs, desires and background with regard to housing. 
• Step 2:  Searching for a Housing Unit -There are many different avenues that can be used to identify potential units of housing. Housing management staff should encourage tenants to take an active role in the housing search process.
• Step 3:  Securing a Housing Unit - Once a potential housing unit(s) has been identified, it may be necessary to advocate for the landlord to accept the rent subsidy associated with the supportive housing. 
• Step 4:  Preparing for Move-In - Once a tenant has been approved for a housing unit, that unit needs to inspected to ensure that it is safe and decent. Housing management staff should carefully review the lease with the tenant prior to it being signed.
• Step 5:  Maintaining Housing Stability and Landlord Relationships - To promote the ongoing housing stability of the tenant and maintain a positive relationship with the landlord, housing management and service provider staff should reach out to tenants regularly to ensure that they are receiving the necessary support.  

Click on the link for more detailed information about Connecting Tenants with Private Market Rental Units.