Linn County still seeking landlords for new incentive program

CEDAR RAPIDS -- The Alliance for Equitable Housing still is seeking Linn County landlords to participate in a program announced in October that would provide financial incentives to landlords who offer housing to tenants who have had problems getting approved for leases.

The pilot program, called the Landlord and Tenant Success Initiative, aims to establish 12-month leases for 30 individuals who have a history of being denied leases because of past evictions or criminal histories. Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust donated $100,000 to fund the program. That money is being used to offer a $1,000 cash incentive to landlords who accept the tenants, and to set aside a risk-mitigation fund that would pay landlords for charges that might be incurred because of the tenant.

The tenants also are asked to attend tenant education classes and case management, and will be compensated up to $700 for attending.

The program officially opened to landlords in November. But despite several landlords reaching out to learn more about the program, only one tenant has been connected with a landlord so far, according to J’nae Peterman, the homeless systems manager jointly funded by Cedar Rapids and Linn County.

“In the housing market, it's tight right now. So when a unit becomes available, it's being filled right away. So making sure that we are staying up to date on all of those units and we're the first ones to catch them, has been a challenge, but we're working on it,” Peterman said.

  Buy Photo

Peterman said there are a few landlords who have expressed interest in the program but who haven’t had any units open up in the past few months. Other landlords who have reached out didn’t end up participating because the cost of rent for their units was higher than what the program is able to assist with.

“We're just thinking, trying to be creative and think outside the box, about what are different ways that we can offer additional incentives to landlords or even help fill any gaps that may exist?” Peterman asked.

The one individual who has been paired with a landlord has been having success with the program so far, according to Peterman. The tenant recently passed his first quarterly unit inspection, and has completed all the goals he set for the first three months.

The Junior League of Cedar Rapids also has partnered with the program by raising funds and pulling together supplies to create move-in kits with things like cleaning supplies that will make it easier for tenants to start out successfully.

“The reason why we started this pilot is so we can be flexible and make sure that we are creating a program that meets both landlord and tenant needs, and the hope is that it'll be continuing until we either use up the funds or we figure out what sticks,” Peterman said.

Landlords who are interested in the program or have questions about it can contact Waypoint Services Landlord Liaison Adrienne Kasner via email at akasner@waypointservices.org, or via text or phone call at 319-531-9352.

Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com