Brothers Redevelopment Seeking Landlords wanting to rent apartments, homes to vets and other voucher holders

June 25, 2015

* * * Landlords can receive monetary incentives to participate in the program***
* * *Nonprofits, local governments teaming to help more than 200 vets find housing * * *

DENVER – June 25, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Area landlords wanting to lend a hand to veterans this summer can start by renting them an apartment or single family home.

With market rate rents for a one-bedroom apartment surpassing $1,300 per month in the metro Denver area and vacancy rates at historic lows, many low-income veterans, individuals and families are having a difficult time finding an affordable place to live.

To assist these prospective tenants in finding suitable housing, the housing nonprofit Brothers Redevelopment is working with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHI) and the Metro Mayors Caucus (MMC)to recruit civic-minded property owners/managers willing to rent their apartments or homes to pre-qualified veterans or residents with housing vouchers.

“Brothers” is utilizing grants from both MDHI and DOLA to recruit landlords willing to participate in its landlord recruitment campaign. The agency’s new Landlord Recruitment Specialist is matching property owners and managers with prospective tenants, many of whom are veterans with housing vouchers that will help them pay their rent for six months to one year.

Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by Housing Quality Standards and also have reasonable rent.

Landlords participating in the program will help address one of the region’s most pressing housing challenges. MDHI recently released its annual “Point in Time” homeless survey, which took a one-night ‘snapshot’ of the individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Denver.

The survey counted nearly 600 veterans among the region’s homeless. Alarmingly, it also showed that the majority of all homeless were households with children, or nearly 3,000 of those counted. One-quarter of all those counted were considered newly homeless.

Because some of these individuals may not have had stable housing for some time, MDHI and dozens of other service providers will prepare many of these veterans and other challenged families for renter ship. Most will receive supportive services, such as case management, child care assistance, and employment and other resources that will help facilitate their personal development and help them stay housed. They’ll also be able to participate in workshops that prepare them to be not only responsible tenants, but also better understand their rights and responsibilities in the context of a binding lease agreement.

“While housing is a critical component of this effort, it’s clear that services are equally important to keeping many people in a stable housing for extended periods,” says Gary Sanford, MDHI Director.

Additionally, Brothers, MDHI and the region’s elected officials are supplementing their tenant training with a pledge of cash to property owners.

The partners have established an incentive fund to encourage landlords to participate in the program. Funded by local municipalities and administered by the Metro Mayors Caucus, property owners and managers will be able tap into this growing ‘incentive fund’ to cover costs associated with vacancies, damages and any repairs that are identified during inspections.

“Everyone needs a safe place to call home and that is why the Metro Mayors Caucus is supporting the Landlord Recruitment Campaign,” said Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan, who chairs the Homeless and Hunger Committee for the 41-member MMC. “The effort provides an essential connection between people experiencing homelessness, landlords who have units available rent and resources to make the connection sustainable.”

The city of Aurora has pledged monies to the MMC’s incentive fund, as have a handful of other cities in the Front Range. The group hopes to raise $50,000 within the next few months.

Since the effort began this spring, landlords are responding. To date, more than 35 property owners have offered their apartments to the effort.

“As rental market costs increase, it is becoming too difficult for those in greatest need of housing to find good places to rent. The city is pleased to have a partner like Brothers Redevelopment and the Colorado Housing Connects referral hotline, which helps low income residents find available rentals and act quickly to secure these affordable housing options,” said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock.

Some well-known multifamily property owners and managers are also committed to the effort. Denver-based Atlas Real Estate Group, which manages 900 units of residential real estate in Colorado, has pledged over 200 apartment units to the campaign.

“”We need to use our expertise in housing to ensure the Denver community continues to thrive today and for decades in the future,” said Ryan Boykin, “Tackling the issue of homelessness, particularly as it relates to veterans, is an area where we can help make a direct and immediate impact.”

Property owners who are interested in renting their apartments to veterans and other low-income families can call Brothers Redevelopment’s new housing helpline, Colorado Housing Connects, at 1-844-926-6632. Information also is available on the website, ColoradoHousingConnects.org, or by emailing .