Veterans

Landlords Wanting to Help Homeless Veterans Can Now Call 2-1-1

Person in camouflage holding a tiny house
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Landlords who want to help military veterans find homes can now call or visit 2-1-1 San Diego for information. The County of San Diego is partnering with 2-1-1 to simplify the process for landlords who have units to lease out to homeless veterans.

In the latest Point-In-Time Count in 2016, 13 percent of the region’s homeless had served in the military. Even those who have received Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers from the County’s Housing Authority struggle to find a place to live because of historically low vacancy rates in the rental housing market.

The County’s Housing and Community Development Services (HCDS) understands that finding landlords is key to housing homeless veterans. Currently, the County has more than 100 vets with VASH housing vouchers who need places to live.

Calling 2-1-1 offers one-stop shopping for landlords who want more information.

“We know interested landlords are out there and they want to help,” said County HCDS Director Todd Henderson. “We want to make it as easy as possible for them to get involved as partners in this critical mission.”

The 2-1-1 partnership is the latest in a County campaign to find new landlords. In April, the Housing Authority of the County of San Diego Board of Commissioners approved the use of up to $400,000 for a landlord incentive program.

Landlords can apply for a number of incentives ranging from leasing bonuses of up to $500 for each unit newly leased to a veteran experiencing homelessness to financial help with security and utility deposits ranging up to $1,600.

The County’s Housing Authority coverage area includes the unincorporated area and several cities throughout the region. The 211 line will refer landlords to the proper jurisdiction so the service will be a benefit to all the organizations in the county who need housing for homeless vets.

 

 

Tracy DeFore is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact