The city of Tulsa this week awarded the Tulsa Day Center a $100,000 grant to be used for a program seeking to provide rental assistance for people experiencing homelessness.
"The Landlord Guarantee Fund will be used for tenants participating in the Rapid Rehousing Program, which works with Tulsa landlords to place individuals and families experiencing homelessness into permanent, safe, and affordable housing," the city said in a news release. "Through the Landlord Guarantee Fund, Tulsa Day Center will guarantee to reimburse landlords up to $3,000 or 3 months’ rent if tenants fail to pay rent or utilities, whichever is exhausted first on a per tenant basis."
"The Landlord Guarantee Fund will give us a much needed resource and opportunity to negotiate with landlords to assist housing low-income individuals & families experiencing homelessness who may have barriers like justice related issues or evictions," Tulsa Day Center executive director Mack Haltom said in a statement. "The incentives will certainly further our mission and vision as well as the City of Tulsa’s Affordable Housing Strategy."
“The City of Tulsa is fortunate to have great landlords who provide quality rental housing and use essential eviction mitigation resources like the Early Settlement Mediation Program,” city of Tulsa housing coordinator Kristin Maun said. “Through the Gold Star Landlord Program, we are able to promote and reward their great practices. The Landlord Guarantee Fund provides another incentive for landlords who work collaboratively with agencies like the Tulsa Day Center to provide safe, affordable housing to households experiencing homelessness.”
Some local housing advocates fear a spike in people experiencing homelessness following the expiration of a federal moratorium on evictions currently scheduled for the end of June.
