South Tidewater News

Virginia Beach Housing & Neighborhood Preservation is excited to announce the launch of its Landlord Engagement and Partnership (LEAP) program and offer new incentives for landlords and property managers who partner with certain housing programs. These include $500 to $1,000 in one-time signing bonuses for new landlords who lease to a program participant, damage mitigation funds and double security deposits (case-by-case basis).

The department invites landlords and property managers to learn more about LEAP on Wednesday, June 21, from 2-4 p.m., at the Housing Resource Center, 104 N. Witchduck Road. Staff will provide an overview of housing programs and additional benefits for partners, including guaranteed rent, supports for landlords and their tenants and completed pre-screens of tenants.

"Landlords and property managers are critical partners in our effort to expand affordable housing opportunities, especially for families and individuals who are ready to move into permanent housing," said Ruth Hill, director of Housing & Neighborhood Preservation. "We cannot achieve our community's goal of making homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring without those who are willing to open their doors to provide a safe place to call home for our most vulnerable neighbors. Through LEAP, we hope landlords and property managers will recognize the value of partnering with us, not just from a business standpoint, but also in creating social impact in Virginia Beach."

Registration at virginiabeach.gov/LEAP is required as seating is limited. For more information, contact the Housing Resource Center at 757-385-5167 or HomelessSystem@vbgov.com.

Original source can be found here.