Many of our potential students are drawn to this course because of the Rent Guarantee or landlord incentives that are paired with the curriculum. It is a powerful statement to tell a future landlord that there is $5000 backing their tenancy if they happen to leave within the first year and owe any damages, past due rent, or eviction costs, especially for those who have prior barriers to renting.
However, with the Rent Guarantee Program average use being less than 1%, the true strength of this program is the education itself.
Educational topics include understanding the landlord's expectations, budgeting, effective communication with landlords and neighbors, knowing red flags for when a tenant is being discriminated against, maintaining a rental unit, and successfully moving in and moving out. The information taught here helps them become more knowledgeable and engaged in their own housing process. Especially if they're working with an agency that does provide rental assistance funds, the knowledge in this course can help the potential tenant work alongside the case manager to find housing that will fit their needs and provide them with long-term stability.