Press Release
November 7, 2019

Landlords respond to call to action to help house homeless people
More one-bedroom units still needed; landlords may be eligible for assistance and incentives

Nov. 7, 2019 (SALT LAKE CITY)  Following a call to action from Lt. Governor Spencer Cox, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, Salt Lake-area landlords have identified 77 available units to help move homeless individuals into housing. 

“Helping people move out of homelessness has to be a community effort, so we are grateful for this community property owners who have stepped up to the plate to support these efforts,” said David Litvack, Mayor Biskupski’s Deputy Chief of Staff. Salt Lake City is leading the current housing campaign.  

Housing specialists and case managers with several nonprofit organizations, including the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City, Housing Connect and The Road Home, will now work with their existing clients to match them to appropriate housing opportunities. Some individuals may already have vouchers and have just been unable to acquire an apartment, and while others may be connected to new funding provided by the state. The city’s housing plan outlines more than $400,000 in state funding for case managers, barrier elimination and rent for up to 67 individuals. 

Litvack reported that, following the call to action, 20 landlords and property managers contacted the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City in order to work with the agency to fill their vacant rental units. The Housing Authority’s Landlord Outreach team works with landlords to craft individual lease up packages that fit the needs of both the landlord and the person moving into housing. They can offer lease up bonuses and risk mitigation funds to landlords, and a variety of rental assistance packages and case management plans to support people moving out of homeless resource centers and into places of their own.

With the closure of the downtown shelter scheduled for later this month, the homeless resource center transition partners reiterated their commitment to providing a warm place for anyone who needs it. 

“The new coordinated intake system helps connect those experiencing homelessness with the services they need to make their experience brief and non-recurring,” said Katherine Fife, Director of Programs and Partnerships with Salt Lake County. “It may not always be a bed at a new resource center. It could mean diverting from shelter, housing, overflow, residential treatment, hotel or motel, or a place with a different service provider.” 

The partners are still asking landlords, especially those with studio and one-bedroom apartments, to get in contact with the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City to work with them to fill vacant units. Landlords and property managers are encouraged to call the Housing Authority at 801-428-0569.

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