Conversation with an ARCH Landlord
As we enter the holiday season, we are reflecting on our newest program, ARCH by HomeScreen: At-risk Renters’ Connection to Housing. ARCH launched in March of this year to help renters whose housing was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic to secure housing in an unsecure time. ARCH can help renters with all types of housing barriers, including recent evictions, a criminal conviction, or credit issues.
Since launching, we have on-boarded over 90 landlords with over 380 properties to be shared with local nonprofits seeking housing for their clients. We have over 130 nonprofit users from 43 organizations currently using ARCH.
We have successfully housed a growing number of renters through ARCH and are gathering feedback from our landlords after a few months of tenancy. We wanted to share one success story, while sharing all parties’ privacy.
HomeScreen: Thank you again for being one of the first landlords to sign up for ARCH and accept an applicant through the portal. Can you describe the process of meeting with your tenant for the first time?
Landlord: Absolutely. I listed my property on the platform and got a phone call from the Caseworker. We discussed the Tenant and his criminal background. The Caseworker asked if I would be interested in moving forward. I was, so we all met face to face to view the property, including the Tenant and his son. At the meeting, I got a good impression from the Tenant and the Caseworker’s program, so I asked them to fill out an application. The background check verified what we already knew, so I was expecting the criminal record, but there were no other surprises. Next, we completed the occupancy and other inspections. The Caseworker’s boss came to the next meeting, which really gave me the sense that the Tenant was supported. I trusted the system they had created for the Tenant and he has been on time with payments every month since moving in in April. We have had no issues at all.
HomeScreen: Was this the first time you have ever rented to someone with a criminal conviction before?
Landlord: Yes, this was the first time, but I felt like as a smaller landlord I was compelled to take a chance on someone that a larger company might rule out automatically.
HomeScreen: Oh that’s interesting. I always had a sense that smaller landlords might be more risk averse than larger companies.
Landlord: Well, as a police officer for 20 years, I have a different set of life experiences than other landlords may have. I have a unique perspective on the criminal system and especially on someone who has spent many years in jail, like the Tenant had. The fact that the Tenant had a support system - his son, his Caseworker and her boss - standing behind him, made me comfortable with moving forward with the lease. They were all a part of his homecoming and had a plan in place to be successful.
HomeScreen: And what would you say to a landlord who is on the fence about participating in ARCH?
Landlord: I would say follow your heart and your mind. Each applicant is unique and has their own story and each landlord accepts tenants that fit their unique perspectives.
HomeScreen: I love to hear you say that because we wanted to design ARCH to be a connection point for landlords and nonprofits who all share in our mission, but still give landlords control over their decision making process.
Landlord: Exactly. I feel like I am working with a tenant I am drawn to.
HomeScreen: Well thank you again! I am excited to share your story with others.
If you are considering becoming an ARCH Landlord, please reach out to us at info@myhomescreen.org. We are happy to help answer your questions about the program. And don’t forget to check out our new video explaining the program!