The Alliance for Equitable Housing of Cedar Rapids has launched a new pilot program designed to foster positive relationships between landlords and housing-challenged tenants by directly addressing the top barriers to stable and affordable housing in the community.
The new program seeks to address common challenges in the rental market through targeted incentives while promoting stable housing and community engagement, according to a release.
The Landlord & Tenant Success Initiative program began Nov. 20 and will run for approximately one year, or until funding is expended.
Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust donated $100,000 to the Alliance for Equitable Housing to fund the pilot program. The goal of the program is to successfully house 30 housing-challenged tenants with private, for-profit landlords within Linn County.
The pilot program consists of four core components offering incentives and support to eligible landlords and tenants for successful efforts in the program. Those components include:
- Landlord incentive – A $1,000 cash bonus provided to participating landlords, over and above deposit requirements, to accept housing-challenged tenants for a 12-month lease.
- Risk mitigation fund – Funds set aside for a landlord or property owner to mitigate or offset potential costs associated with renting.
- Landlord support – Direct mediation support from Waypoint’s Landlord Liaison, along with monthly unit inspections to prevent lease violations.
- Tenant incentive – Up to $750 will incentivize tenants to achieve goals through case management and tenant education classes.
This pilot program is designed to test strategies and develop permanent solutions for Linn County’s housing-challenged residents.
“The Landlord & Tenant Success Initiative is designed to help us learn how to support tenants and landlords more effectively,” said Karey Chase, vice president of community impact for United Way of East Central Iowa and a founding member of the Alliance for Equitable Housing. “By providing incentives and resources, we hope to encourage landlords and tenants to work together, ultimately leading to improved housing stability in our community.”
Tenants will be selected collaboratively by local non-profit housing providers and work with interested landlords to identify an appropriate match.
The pilot program will be implemented throughout Linn County. Interested landlords are asked to contact Waypoint Services landlord liaison Adrienne Kasner at (319) 351-9352 or [email protected] to learn more or sign up for the program.
More information about the Landlord and Tenant Success Initiative is available on the Alliance for Equitable Housing website at AllianceForEquitableHousing.org.
