Multnomah County Incentivizes Renting to Formerly Homeless Tenants

This week, the Portland Tribune highlighted a new program developed by the Joint Office of Homeless Service that offers incentives and support to landlords who agree to rent to people coming out of homelessness. 

The program, Move-in Multnomah, guarantees rent for the duration of the qualifying tenant's lease (up to 12 months), as well as: 

• Holding fees to cover rent for vacant units while a tenant is being secured
• A hotline for housing providers to connect with tenant case managers if needed
• Resources to cover damages beyond the cost of the security deposit

In return, participating landlords must: 

• Be willing to provide available units at market rate
• Reduce screening criteria that could be a barrier for tenants coming out of homelessness

Landlords began signing up on April 14th, when program administrators started the process of connecting landlords and potential tenants. Initially, the program will focus on leases signed that will begin on May 1st, June 1st, or July 1st. 

The article notes program administrators are seeking more landlords to participate following a $4 million expansion of the program. The expansion is funded by the $2.4 billion Supportive Housing Services measure approved by voters in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties in May 2020.

Metro area landlords can apply at MultCo.us/Move-Multnomah by June 30th to participate in the program. 

The article quotes a Portland landlord of 50 years who says, "We were skeptical at first, but we tried it. It has been one of the best partnerships we have had."

Read the Portland Tribune story at PamplinMedia.com.