HLA Housing Navigation Program Information Session

The BAAA is teaming up with the Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas County to invite you to a Zoom information and networking session on the Housing Navigation Program.  This Zoom meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 24 at 1PM.  

Background:

In order to respond to the housing needs of families and individuals at risk of becoming homeless, the Homeless Leadership Alliance (HLA) of Pinellas County has established the Housing Navigation Program.  Most participants currently have housing and have economic means to support themselves. This program provides specialized assistance to participating households to find them new housing options because their current housing will soon end.  You are invited to meet the HLA team and learn more about the program in a special Zoom meeting on Tuesday, August 24 at 1PM. 

Through the Housing Navigation Program, HLA provides housing counseling to participating households to ensure they can meet any new financial obligations of a lease.  That said, some of the households participating in the Housing Navigation Program have past evictions or other blemishes on their record.  To help prospective landlords balance this risk, HLA is offering landlord incentives for each household in the program.  These incentives include:

• HLA will cover the household’s first and last month’s rent.
• HLA will provide funding for a security deposit. Security deposits are typically 1 months’ rent, but can be higher, depending on the challenges in finding housing for the household.
• HLA can provide a one-time bonus payment to landlords, however applicability and amount will vary depending on the amount of funds used to provide a security deposit.
• HLA staff will provide landlord intervention assistance, in the event any out of the ordinary issues arise with the household.

The Housing Navigation Program has over 30 households who are ready for immediate move-in.  To help facilitate this, participating property managers are asked to be ready to discuss the following items: 1) current and upcoming vacancies, 2) unit sizes and amenities, 3) asking rent, and 4) resident selection criteria (income, policy on past evictions, criminal history).  An inspection will be performed by HLA staff of any unit that is offered, usually within a day or two, or at the landlord’s earliest convenience.

This program has already helped over 70 households and dozens of landlords find each other.  You too could be part of this great program and know that you are playing an integral role not only in helping households take charge of their lives, but also in making your community a better place to live.

The Housing Navigation Program is just one program implemented by HLA and its non-profit partners in Pinellas County.  Stay tuned for future information sessions focused on some of these other programs.

Here is a PDF of the above content.