1. Identify Housing Options
& Overcoming Objections

2. What are the housing options for HUD subsidized programs?
-What makes a unit eligible?
Unit needs to be at or below Fair Market Rent (FMR)
Unit must pass applicable inspection standard
Habitability
Housing Quality Standards (HQS)
Willing Landlord/Owner/Agent
Enter into a contract (lease) for specified period

3. Identifying Housing Options – the search
Always have the client lead the search
Give the client the 3 criteria and a few options
FMR – max monthly rent
Inspection Standard – HQS or habitability
Willing Landlord
Web searches
SocialServe.com -
GoSection8 -
Local Housing Authorities’ Websites
State Financing Authorities’ Websites
HUD -

4. Web Searches - Continued
Credio -
Craigslist
Private Landlords (ex. A-1, Houston, 333rents)
Not recommended:
Apartments.com, apartmentfinder.com, apartmentlist.com, forrent.com etc.
Social Service Providers
Housing Locator Workgroup/Committee
Re-entry Program Providers
Some parole/probation jurisdictions participate
DV Providers (specifically for DV victims)

5. Other Ways to Identify Housing Options
Client finds them
Landlord finds me
RSO reverse search
Others?

6. LANDLORDS – Overcoming Objections
What are the most common objections?
Payment delays – where’s my check?
Damage to unit – direct costs
Damage to unit – indirect costs (down time)
Disturbing other tenants
Criminal activity
Won’t pay rent after subsidy ends
Constant lease violations (unauthorized pets etc.)
Evictions costs
Others?

7. The Landlord/Owner’s true objection….
“I won’t make money”

8. Ways to Overcome Objections
Deposit equal to 2 months rent
Case Manager available to work with tenant
Probation Officer contact information
Change lease length to equal program participation time (then month-to-month)
Pool of renters available from the program
Assured rent payments
Master Lease Units
Lots of advantages for landlords
Limits choices for program participants

9. Discussion – Who has tried…
Increased deposits?
Case Manager is available to work with tenant?
Matching lease length to program eligibility?
The payment is made by The Salvation Army?
We have many program participants?
Master Leasing?
Other Questions?

10. DESCENT
SAFE &
SANITARY