By Kim McClellan, RCE, Public Policy Director
On any given day, 200 adults and children are homeless in our community. Homelessness is often a root cause of many other issues such as poor health, trouble in school, and lack of employment.
No one can feel stable without a place to call home.
The Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® (FAAR) has partnered with local housing non-profits to help expand affordable housing opportunities through the launch of the Stable Homes Partnership.
FAAR began working last year with housing non-profits through the Continuum of Care (CoC), a federally-mandated local planning body that coordinates housing and services for homeless families and individuals.
Under the CoC umbrella, FAAR partnered with Micah Ecumenical Ministries, Loisann’s Hope House, Empowerhouse, and the Thurman Brisben Center to create a marketing and recruitment plan to expand the pool of property owners’ in the region willing to rent to families and individuals facing housing challenges.
The partner organizations assist tenants with rent and security deposits, while also providing case management and regular property inspections to smooth the path for long-term stability and success. Property owners engaged in the program have access to a ready pool of quality tenants paying fair market rent, reducing costly downtime advertising and showing their properties.
FAAR and the CoC agencies hosted two public information sessions on this program at the end of March. These informational meetings featured an overview of the program and panel discussions with both property owners and case managers involved in the program.
The program administrators aim to expand their pool of landlords by following up with the attendees of those meetings.