Kings-Tulare Homeless Alliance launches Landlord Mitigation Fund aimed at reducing homelessness
@TheSunGazette
TULARE/KINGS COUNTIES – One of the largest barriers to mitigating homelessness in Tulare and Kings counties is, to state the obvious, housing. But the Kings-Tulare Homeless Alliance is working to ease the problem by increasing demand by offering a Landlord Mitigation Fund.
In support with community partners including Adventist Health, Kings County Human Services Agency, Tulare County, Tulare County Health & Human Services, and the Whitney Foundation, has put together a fund for landlords in Kings and Tulare Counties who rent homes or apartments to people experiencing homelessness.
One of the largest barriers facing housing providers in Kings and Tulare Counties is finding landlords willing to rent to people who are currently experiencing homelessness. The supply of affordable housing is too low for the increasing demand. “The Alliance is hoping that the Landlord Mitigation Fund will bridge this gap by recruiting new landlords to rent to these individuals, therefore decreasing the number of people living on the streets or in emergency shelters in the bi-county region,” said Machael Smith, Executive Director of the Alliance.
The purpose of the Landlord Mitigation Fund is to incentivize landlords to relax screening criteria for people experiencing homelessness who may have barriers that prevent them from securing housing on their own. Participating landlords will have the ability to draw from the fund in the event of property damages or other potential costs.
The Alliance is hosting two Landlord Mitigation Fund Open Houses to give landlords and community members the opportunity to learn about the benefits of renting to program participants. At the open houses guests will enjoy light refreshments while learning about the Landlord Mitigation Fund and other benefits of working with participating housing providers including intensive case management for clients and guaranteed rent.
RSVPs to the Landlord Mitigation Fund Open Houses are not required but are encouraged. To RSVP, or with any questions, please contact the Alliance’s Community Engagement Coordinator, Laura Fisher, at [email protected] or 559-738-8733
