2011 Annual Report - How-Inc.org

Property
Management
HOW’s Permanent Supportive Housing Program
has 250 units operated throughout the city. The
Housing Department is responsible for managing
the properties that HOW owns as well as units leased
with partner landlords. Specifically, they oversee a variety
of activities including rent collection and receipting,
staffing on-site volunteer service projects, tracking and
reporting payments and rent recertification. HOW’s five
staff members have a combined twenty-three years of
property management experience which they draw upon
to coordinate with landlords and clients to prepare units
for future tenants. Plumbing, painting, cleaning and
structural integrity are just a few topics that they must
cover to assure that the apartments are safe and clean for
our clients.
Outside of the day-to-day management, the primary
challenge our housing team faces is making sure clients
are comfortable with their new surroundings. The lifestyle
shift from homelessness to permanent housing can be
difficult and acclimating tenants to their new environment
is a top priority. Imparting the importance of apartment
maintenance is also crucial because for many this is a first
time experience.
“What I love the most is when I move a client into their
first apartment, someone who has never had their own
place before. Their gratitude is both overwhelming
and humbling” confided Brandi Smith, HOW Housing
Counselor. HOW continues its growth and will be
expanding its housing portfolio next year.