1. SSVF Program Launch: Establishing Services in Compliance with Goals and Regulations Practice Area 5: Landlord Support

2. Why Need for Landlord Supports? Obstacles to Housing Access for SSVF RRH participants may have “housing barriers.” Landlords routinely run screening reports. Local housing markets may be competitive. Landlords need help: a)Recognizing incentives of SSVF tenancies. b)Seeing beyond participants’ housing barriers. c)Giving a chance to inexperienced tenants. 2

3. What is Definition of Landlord Supports? “Use your creativity, savvy, and a little sweetener (when needed) to convince landlords that renting to SSVF is worth the risk and good for their bottom line.” IN OTHER WORDS “Proactively develop relationships with landlords to assure (RRH) participants obtain housing and landlord needs are met.” – Practice Standards 3

4. 4 How Match Supports to Each Landlord? Few Landlords Some Landlords – as Needed All SSVF Landlords Most Generous Supports “Add on” Supports “Basic” Supports

5. Landlord Mentality to Cultivate “SSVF is Good for My Business” Decreases my vacancy rate. Lowers my advertising costs for vacancies. Accelerates my unit turn over. Decreases my risk of costly evictions: a)I can count on SSVF for support. b)I have SSVF service providers to contact. c)SSVF will support my tenants’ transitions. d)SSVF will educate my tenants’ on their responsibilities as tenants. 5

6. Examples of Landlord Supports SSVF Service Commitments Landlords: 1.Commit to SSVF staff contact for landlord. 2.Prepare participants with tenancy education. 3.Review leases with participants prior to tenancy. 4.Offer support services to troubled tenancy. 5.Respond to landlord reports of missed rent. 6.Support troubled tenants to transition on. 6

7. Examples of Landlord Supports SSVF Financial Commitments (NOT via TFA): 1.Pay additional security deposits. 2.Pay additional last month’s rent. 3.Commit to pay for damages up to $____. 4.Pre-purchase Tenant Screening Reports. 5.Commit to pay landlord’s eviction costs. 6.Commit to pay for relocation costs. 7

8. Examples of Landlord Supports SSVF Contractual Commitments: 1.Promise to fill vacant units within __ days. 2.Promise to keep lease ups to ___days. 3.Offer to co-sign lease with tenant. 4.Commit to support tenants in relocation on. 8

9. Success with Landlord Support SSVF Staff Must Have: Understanding of the “win-win.” Insight to landlords’ perspective. Refined menu of landlord support ideas. Modification of support to each landlord. Time committed to this effort. 9

10. Tips on Getting Started 1st Steps to Landlord Support: 1.Plan a “progressive” menu of supports. 2.Write policies and procedures. 3.Designate staff responsible. 4.Train staff on the how-tos. 5.Plan to elicit feedback from landlords. 6.Commence landlord outreach 1 st steps. 7.Start to build a landlord network. 10